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HISTORY 


'OF  THE 


BAPTIST  CHUKCHES 


•IN  THE 


NOETH  OF.  ENGLAND, 


FROM  1648  TO  1845. 


BY 


DAYID  DOUGLAS, 
it 

HAMSTERLEY. 


"  For  by  faith  the  elders  obtained  a  good  report.  Be  not  slothful, 
but  followers  of  them  who  through  faith  and  patience  inherit  the 
promises."—  PAUL.  f 


LONDON: 

HOT7LSTON  AND   STONEMAN,  65,   PATERNOSTER   ROW; 

FINLAY  AND  CHARLTON,  AND  PRINGLE,  NEWCASTLE; 

AND   WILLIAM   INNES,   EDINBTJRGH. 

1846. 


North  Shields,  June  1,  1 841. 

AT  THE  ANNUAL  SESSION  OF  THE  NORTHERN  ASSOCIATION 
OP  BAPTIST  CHURCHES, 

It  was  resolved, 

"  9.  That  a  Summary  account  of  our  rise,  progress,  and  present 
state,  as  a  Denomination  in  the  North  of  England,  be  submitted 
to  the  Association  next  year." 


Newcastle-on-Tyne,  October  19,  184 J. 

MINUTE  OF  THE  EXECUTIVE  COMMITTEE  OF  THE 
ASSOCIATION. 

Resolved, 

"  That  the  Rev.  D.  Douglas  be  requested  to  prepare  the  Sum- 
mary referred  to  in  the  ninth  resolution,"  &c. 


The  above  Summary,  by  the  increase  of  materials,  &c.,  in  the 
«ucceeding  years,  has  increased  to  the  present  Volume. 


TO  THE  MINISTERS,  DEACONS,  AND  MEMBERS  OP 

THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 
IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND  IN  GENERAL, 

AND  TO  THOSE  OF 

THE  ASSOCIATED  CHURCHES 

IN  DURHAM  AND  NORTHUMBERLAND 

IN  PARTICULAR, 
'THIS  HISTORY  OF  THEIR  RESPECTIVE  CHURCHES 

IS  RESPECTFULLY  INSCRIBED, 

BY  THEIR   HUMBLE   AND   DEVOTED 

TRIEND  AND  BROTHER, 

THE  AUTHOR. 


PREFACE, 


THE  following  narrative  has  long  been  a  matter  of 
desire  among  the  Baptist  churches  of  the  North  of  Eng- 
land. So  far  back  as  1828  it  was  referred  to,  at  the 
Association  meeting  at  Broughton,  in  Cumberland;  and 
each  minister  was  to  contribute  his  quota.  The  idea  laid 
hold  of  the  writer's  mind,  and  from  that  time  he  began 
to  survey  his  materials.  These  were  the  oldest  docu- 
ments of  any  of  the  churches;  but  written  in  an  antique 
hand,  and  very  disjointed.  Their  deciphering,  con- 
nexion, and  illustration,  involved  a  very  considerable 
portion  of  both  thought  and  labour.  The  writer  had  lit- 
tle leisure,  from  a  variety  of  engagements ;  but  he  began, 
and  still  persevered,  till,  in  the  midst  of  deep  family 
affliction,  in  the  early  part  of  1841,  he  had  brought 
down  his  narrative  from  1651  to  1821.  This  became 
known;  and  by  the  Association  and  their  Executive 
Committee,  that  year,  he  was  requested  to  publish 
his  researches.  He  consented;  and  in  1843  he  pre- 
sented them  to  the  Association,  at  Rowley.  Pro- 
spectuses were  issued;  but  a  few  blanks  had  to  be 
filled  up,  and  the  churches  that  had  hitherto  lingered 
in  sending  their  materials,  now  forwarded  them.  The 
result  was  a  considerable  derangement  in  the  early 
chronology  of  the  narrative.  There  then  seemed  no  al- 
ternative but  to  recast  it  entirely.  Another  half-year, 
however,  of  heavy  family  affliction  intervened,  and  it 
was,  therefore,  not  till  the  beginning  of  1845  that  the 


VI.  PREFACE. 

work  was  ready  for  the  press.  Owing  also  to  the 
writer's  anxiety  to  have  it  as  correct  and  neat  as  a 
provincial  press  could  make  it,  together  with  his  own 
distance  from  the  press,  and  the  distance  of  those  who 
have  kindly  assisted  him,  more  delay  has  been  occa- 
sioned than  was  anticipated.  Having  said  thus  much 
for  himself,  he  confidently  casts  himself  on  the  in- 
dulgence of  the  Subscribers ;  and  trusts,  that  they 
will  not  only  forgive  his  delay,  but  have  occasion, 
on  the  whole,  to  say,  that  he  "has  done  what  he 
could,"  both  to  please  and  edify  them. 

In  the  Introduction,  a  rapid  view  is  given  of  ancient 
Dissent,  and  the  .evidence  of  opposition  to  Infant  Sprink- 
ling among  a  large  portion  of  these  Dissenters ;  also,  a 
hasty  sketch  of  the  state  of  Britain,  civil  and  religous, 
some  time  previous,  and  at  the  commencement,  of  our 
own  narrative.    The  sources  of  the  history  itself  are 
referred  to  throughout.    These  are  the  M.S.  records  of 
the  different  churches — some  letters  preserved  in  some 
of  the  older  families  connected  with  those  churches — 
and  several  traditionary  relations,  some  of  later,  and 
others  of  more  ancient,  date,  which  have  descended 
from  one  generation  to  another,  but  on  the  truth  of 
which  the  credit  of  the  reader  may  safely  rest.    With 
regard  to  the  execution  of  the  work,  the  writer  regrets 
some  mistakes,  and  want  of  correction,  which  had  es- 
caped his  notice  in  passing  through  the  press.     In 
reference  to  Mr.  Wilkinson,  of  Broughton,  at  page  15, 
it  is  said,  "the  Lord  at  last  convinced  him  of  his  sin." 
It  should  have  been,  "the  Lord  at  last  convince  him 
of  his  sin !"  &c.    Mr.  Wilkinson  still  remained  with  the 
Quakers ;   and,  therefore,  who  it  was  that  rallied  the 
scattered  church  at  Broughton,  we  are,  as  yet,  in  igno- 


PREFACE.  Vll. 

ranee.  On  page  116,  it  is  said  that  all  the  adherents 
of  Sir  "William  Sinclair,  excepting  one,  returned  to  the 
Kirk:  this  is  not  correct,  as  his  church  exists  to  the 
present  time.  It  was  not  Mr.  P.  Grant  who  heard 
Sir  William,  but  an  old  man  with  whom  he  was  ac- 
quainted, and  who  was  alive  in  1829.  On  page  122, 
for  "Crossby,"  read  "Crossley;"  and  on  page  126, 
note,  for  "Thomas,"  read  "William"  Dowson.  But 
who  this  William  Dowson  was,  is  still  j  uncertain, — 
see  page  211,  note.  On  page  132,  line  7,  for  "minis- 
ter," read  "  member."  Other  corrections  and  addi- 
tions may  suggest  themselves  on  perusal.  The  writer 
will  be  happy  to  receive  these  from  any  quarter; 
and  will  endeavour  to  secure  them,  so  as  to  be  rendered 

available  at  a  future  period. 
As  to  the  remarks  introduced  into  the  narrative,  some 

of  which  may  be  controverted,  the  writer  can  only  say, 
that  he  has  stated  his  own  opinions ;  and  has  done  so, 
as  he  thought,  both  to  instruct  his  younger  readers,  and 
to  relieve,  to  older  ones,  the  tedium  of  the  dry  narra- 
tion of  facts.  The  same  may  also  be  affirmed  of  the 
notes,  some  of  which  may  be  thought  irrelevant,  but 
they  are  employed  to  illustrate  the  times  referred 
to  in  the  text.  The  account  of  the  different  fami- 
lies, will,  of  course,  be  uninteresting  to  strangers; 
but  by  the  members  of  these  families  themselves  they 
will,  perhaps,  be  regarded  as  the  most  valuable  part  of 
the  volume.  As  to  the  view  given  of  character,  on  the 
whole,  the  favourable,  or  good-natured  one,  is  given, 
deeming  such  a  view  as  congenial  to  truth  as  it  is  to 
amiability.  On  the  whole,  it  is  hoped,  that  the  volume 
may  prove  a  useful  family  book  to  the  members  of  our 
churches,  in  reminding  the  junior  branches  of  their 


Vili.  PREFACE. 

families,  of  the  serious  responsibility  which,  attaches  to 
them  in  the  prospect  of  eternity/  arising  from  the  name 
they  hear  and  the  blood  that  flows  in  their  veins;  and 
thus,  it  may  be,  lead  these  young  people  to  that  reflec- 
tion and  decision  of  character  which  may  terminate  in 
a  useful  life,  a  peaceful  death,  and  a  glorious  im- 
mortality. 

The  author  cannot  conclude  this  Preface,  without 
tendering  his  thanks  to  all  those  brethren  who  have 
kindly  assisted  him  in  this  undertaking.  To  mention 
any  names  my  appear  invidious,  but  he  cannot  forbear 
referring  to  the  following :— The  Bevds.  B.  Pengilly, 
Or.  Sample,  "W.  Leng,  Jos.  Harbottle,  T.  Taylor,  A. 
Kirkwood,  and  B.  Banks;  also  John  Lindsay  Angas, 
Esq.,  and  John  Fenwick,  Esq.,  both  of  Newcastle; 
Mr.  Henry  Dalton,  of  Eaglesfield,  Cumberland;  Mr. 
John  Bennison,  North  Shields ;  Mr.  James  Williamson, 
South  Shields ;  Mr.  Henry  Angus  Wilkinson,  his  prin- 
cipal assistant  in  collecting  materials;  and  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Hague  Ainsworth,  of  Middlesbro';  but  while  he 
expresses  his  warmest  thanks  to  these  kind  friends, 
he  may  be  allowed,  also,  humbly  to  express  Ms  grati- 
tude to  Him  who  has  spared  his  life,  and  supported  him 
till  he  has  brought  his  researches  to  a  termination. 
To  His  glory  he  devotes  it,  and  to  His  blessing  he 
humbly  commends  it. 


Hamsterley,  near  Bp.  Auckland, 
February  26, 1846. 


CONTENTS, 


NOTICE       •  •  •  •  •  •       ...  •  •  ....  . .  2 

DEDICATION  .-  .-           ..  •    ..  ..          ..  ••  3 

PREFACE     ..  ••  ••          ••  ...  ••          ••  ••  5 

CONTENTS    ••  ••  ••  ••          ••  ••  9 

INTEODUCTION.  1 

State  of  Dissent,  &c.-vThe  Baptists- -Their  recent  and  ancient  character- • 
At  the  Reformation-  -Muncer  and  the  German  peasants- -The  sack  of 
Munster- -The  Baptists  execrated- -Menno  Simon—Models  the  Baptists- • 
Continental  and  English  Baptists.  .Baptists  descended  from.  .The  Hussites 
•  •  WickJiffites  and  Lollards- -The  Albigenses-«Beghards--Cathari--Petro- 
brussians-  -Henricians-  -Leonists-  -Waldenses-  -Paulicians  •  •  Novationists-  •  . 
Donatists--Montanists- -Apostolic  Succession- -Puseyism- -Political  state  of 
England  before  OUT  history  begins-  •  The  Tudors-  •  Stuarts  •  •  Charles  I.  •  •  Re  * 
ligious  state- -Phases  of  Reformation- -Henry,  Edward,  Elizabeth- -Puri- 
tans- -Presbyterians-  -Independents-  -Baptists-  •  History-  •  Sentiments  •  •  15 


PERIOD  FIRST.— FROM  1648  TO  16-56. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Partiality  to  a  particular  theme- -Ours- -The  North- -Its  former  state- -Its 
present- -The  difference-  -The  Baptists-  -Broughton-  -Cromwell's  officer-  • 
•Newcastle  ••  Mr.  Gower-.-Hexham  ••  Mr*  Tillam  -•  ...  -•  .  1 

CHAPTER  II. 

Broughton-  -Independent  Church  at  Cockermouth- •  Messrs.  Thomas  and 
George  Larkhams-  -Mr.  Wilkinson-  -Newcastle. .Hexham-  -Letters  to  and 
from  Coleman-street-  -Hanserd  Knollys-  -Feuds  begun-  -Cheshire  Revivals 
•  •Henry  Angus- -The  False  Jew  ••  ••  --  --  13 

CHAPTER  III. 

Stokesley  Revival-  -Mr.  Kaye-  -Muggleswick  Revival-.  Baptists  in  Scotland-  - 
The  army- -General  Monk- -General  Lilbuine-  -Mr.  Hidshorngill  •  •  Mr. 
Stackhouse-- Church  at  Leith.--- Letters- -'.Churches  In  Scotland,  &c... 
Baptists  and  Presbyterians- -Letters  to  General  Lilburne-  -Lilburne's  his- 
tory,-Baptists,  in  the  army,  leave  Scotland  •  •  ••  ••  30 


X.  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Correspondence  between  Baptist  Churches-  -Letter  from  Coleman-street- . 
From  the  Western  Association  ••Prom  Swan-alley- -Mr.  Henry  Jessey-- 
Marriage  Record- -Troubles  at  Hexham.  and  Newcastle- -Letter  to  Swan- 
alley- -To  Leominster-  -Mr.  Tillam  goes  to  London  and  Cheshire- -Letter 
from  Mr.  Tillam- -From  Warrington;  HiU  Cliffe-  -Letters-  -Newcastle 
and  Hexham- • Elizabeth  Heslop-- Letter  to  Sir  Thomas  Liddell;  Lady 
Liddell-- Troubles-  -Mr.  Tillam  leaves  Hexham- -His  Works- -Character- - 
Mr.  Gower  •  •  -  -  -  -  -  -  •  >  -  -  -  -  44 


PERIOD  SECOND.— FROM  1656  TO  1717. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Brough ton- -Newcastle- -Mr.  Turner- •  Hexham;  Mr.  Ord- -Derwent ;  Mr. 
Ward- -Disruption  of  these  societies- -Reconciliation-- Discipline  at  Hex- 
ham-  -Past  British  History-  -Fifth  Monarchy. .-Persecution  and  Resistance 
•  •Their  Origin- -Retort  of  Psedobaptist  Accusation- -Cromwell's  Death- • 
Restoration  •  •  Breda  •  •  Results-  .Baptists  •  •  Bunyan  •  •  Venner-  •  J.  James-  - 
Proscriptions-  •  Plots-  •  Farnly  Wood-  -Muggleswick  •  •  Baptists  accused  by 
Elrington.  .John  Joplin-  -Acquitted-  •  Mr.  Surtees  •  •  •  •  70 

CHAPTER  II. 

Effects  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity- -Baptist  Ministers  excluded- -Gabriel 
Caroelford-  -George  Larkham-  .Henry  Blacket's  rescue-  •  Hexham- -Plague 
of  London-  -Persecutions-  -England-  -Scotland-  -Peatland  Hills-  -Mackail. . 
Clarendon  •  •  Tottlebank  •  •  Conventicle  Act  •  •  Hexham  •  •  Hawksheadhill.  - 
Torver- -Death  of  Charles  II.- -James  II.- -Review  of  the  reign  of  the 
Stuarts- -Sedgemoor-- Executions  --  ...  --  4-  ••  87 

CHAPTER  III. 

Revolution • -Claverhouze  and  Mackenzie- -General  Assembly  in  London-- 
Associations--Northern  Association- -Baruoldswick- •  Fund  at  Derwent.  • 
Bristol-  •  Tottlebank- -Bridlingtou-  -Sir  Wm.  Sjnclair- .Northern  Associa- 
tion--Death  of  Mr.  Larkham- .Death  of  Mr.  Blacket- -Of  the  leaders  of 
Nonconformity,  and  Birth  of  Wesley,  &c.-  -Mr.  Blacket's  Character,  &c.  •  • 
Hawksheadhill- -Bridlington-  -Death  of  Mr.  Prudom- -Broughton-- Asso- 
ciation--Bitchburn- -Tottlcbauk- -Hamsterley-- Mr.  Ward's  death,  Sic.- • 
Letters,  &c.  ,,  ••'  ••  ••  ••  '  ••  ••  10 


CONTENTS.  -  xi. 


PERIOD  THIRD.— FROM  1717  TO  1770. 


CHAPTER  I. 

The  times- -Mob  persecutions- -Executions- -Mr.  Paul,  a  clergyman-. The 
Court  favours  Dissenters- •  The  Presbyterians- -Arian  question- -The  Bap- 
tists in  the  North-  -The  ministers-  -Their  learning-  -Cold  Rowley  Meeting 
•••Hamsterley-  -Bridling ton-  -Jonathan  Angus-  •  His  family-  •  Newcastle-  • 
Tuthill-stairs  Chapel  purchased- -Mr.  West  ••  Broughton  ••  Hamsterley  •• 
Knaresdale-  -Richard  Coultherd-  •  Bridlington-  -Hamsterley-  -Tottlebank-  • 
Oulton--Mr.  Tiffen- -Mixed  Marriages-  •  Brough  ton  from  1727—1740,  no 
knowledge  of  associations- -Death  of  George  the  First  "  •  •  •  •  133 

CHAPTER  II. 

Ministers  of  Hamsterley,  &c.-  -Mr.  H.  Atkinson-  -Mr.  Braithwaite,  Bridling- 
ton-.Broughton-- Bridlington- -Broughton- -Messrs.  Palmer  and  Garner-- 
J.  and  C.  Wesley- -George  Whitfield- -Lady  Huntingdon- -John  Glass--. 
Ebenezer  Erskine-  -Moravians-  -Dr.  Stoddart-  -Jonathan  Edwards- -Asso- 
ciations- -Hamsterley-  -Mr.  Gamer-  -Mr.  G.  Fell's  death-  •  Broughton-  -Mr. 
H.  Palmer- -His  family,  note- -Mr.  Machin-- Bridlington- -Rebellion  in 
Scotland- -Colonel  Gardiner- -Culloden-- Mr.  M.  Wharton's  death-- Anec- 
dote, Lord  Ravensworth- -Associations- -Death  of  Mr.  Carr-- Character- • 
Family- -Mr.  Mitchel-. Bridlington  ..  --  .-  •-  150 

CHAPTER  III. 

Mr.  Garner- -Mr.  C.  Hall-  -Newcastle-  -Association-  -Yorkshire  churches-  • 
David  Fernie-  -Hamsterley-  -High  and  Low  Galvanism-  -Result  of  dispute 
•  -Marton»Midlam-  -Joseph  Robson- -Mr.  Robert  Hall-  -Experience-  -Dis- 
pute with  Mr.  Fernie- -Baptism- -Messrs.  Rutherford  and  Peden-  -Messrs. 
C.  and  R.  Hall-  -Newcastle-  -Messrs.  Fernie,  Rutherford,  Peden,  and  Bow- 
ser- -Associations-  -Cuthbert  Crawford- -Michael  Wharton,  Junior-  -  Brid- 
lington- -Death  ofMr,  Isaac  Garner-  -Family-  -Character-  -Success-  -Joshua 
Garner.. Bridlingtou- -Newcastle  letter  to  Hexham--Tottlebank-- Scotch 
Baptists- -Mr.  Fernie's  visit  to  them- -Their  letter,  and  his  reply-- Brid- 
lington- -Mr,  J.  Garner-  -Mr.  Fernie's  letter-  -Newcastle-  -Mr.  Allen  •  •  164 


PERIOD  FOURTH.— FROM  1770  TO  1821. 


CHAPTER  I. 

State  of  religion  at  this  time> -Burns  the  poet- -Mr.  Whitfield'*  parentage, 
&c.- -Conversion- -Baptism- -Call  to  Hamsterley- •  Mr.  Thomas  Blacket-- 


Xll.  CONTENTS. 

Tottlebank.  -Great  flood  on  the  Wear-  -Mr.  Coultherd's  death-  -Newcastle, 
Mr.  Ferule-  -Messrs-  Gar  thorn  and  Palmer-  -Mr.  Harbottle-  -Mr.  Whitfield's 
ordination  -Whitehaven  ••  Mr.  Cuthbert  Crawford  •  •Association  •  -Mrs. 
Dowson  of  Snapegate- -The  Dowsons— Association-  -Mr.  Isaac  Slee--He 
leaves  the  church  of  England-  -At  Hamsterlev-  -Baptized-  -Goes  to  Haworth 

•  -Death- -Letters-  -Newcastle- -Mr.  Fishwick- -Mr.  Pendered— Messis,  Da- 
vid and  Joseph  Kinghorn-  'Letter  to  Mr.  Dowson-  -American  war,  Mr.  J. 
Toward-  -Association-  .Division  of  the  church  on  the  Tyne  and  Wear-  -Mr. 
Ross-  -Mr.  Thomas  Jopling  and  relatives-  -Churches  in  Yorkshire,  &c,  199 

CHAPTER  II. 

Death  of  Mrs.  Whitfield--Mr.    Whitfield's  resources- -Goes  to  EmshiU-. 
Messrs.  Pendered  and  Hutton-  -Hamsterley  library.  .Newcastle  and  Oulton 

•  -Death  of  Wesley,  &c.-  -Baptist  Mission-  -Mr.  Terry-  -Mr.  Jonh  Hall-  -His 
successors- -Mr.  Fernie's  death- -Mr.  Skinner- -Mr.  Hassel-.Mrs.  Spence— 
Suuderland,  Mr.  Greatrix-  -North  Shields,  Mr.  Imeary —Messrs.  Haldanes 

•  •New  Chapel,  Tuthill-stairs- 'Evangelical  society- -Mr.  Whitfield  leaves 
Emshill-  -North  Shields-  -Messrs. Short  and  Sheraton-. Mr.  Hassel leaves- • 
Mr.   Short's  death- -Mr.   Berry- -Associations- -War  "and  Missions- -Ford 
Forge  and  Wooler- Yorkshire -Churches  ••  ••  -.      226 

CHAPTER  III. 

Mr.  Pengilly..His  ordination- -Mr.  Anderson,  Edinburgh- -The  slave  trade 
abolished-  -Death  of  Mr.  Booth,  &c.-  -Mr.  Hartley-  -Scotland-  -Associations 

•  •Death  of  Mr.  Charlton--Of  Mr.  Maclean --Serampore Death  of  Mr. 

Fuller-Of  Mr.  Angus-Of  Mr.  Imeary ••  Of  Mr.  Mabbut-Of  Mr.'George 
Angus- -Mr.  Williamson's  ordination-  -Messrs.  Darnborough.  and  Mdrley, 
Borobridge-  -Separation  at  Tuthill-stairs  •  >Wolsihghain-  -South  'Shields- - 
Mr.  Sample-  -Mr.  Whitfield  struck  with  paralysis-  -Death  of  Mr.  Terry-  • 
Hamsterley  supplies-  -Mr.  Fisher  ordained-  -Death  of  Mr;  Jaines  Jopling- . 
Of  Mr.  John  Angus- -Yorkshire  churches- -Death  of  Mr.  Whitfield  ••    251 


PERIOD  FIFTH.— FROM  1822  TO  1845. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Character  of  this  new  period- -Missionary  designated—Mr.  Douglas- -Mr. 
Hartley- -Mr.  Ingham--Mrs.  G.  Angus—South  Shields- -Mrs.  Douglas-  • 
Darlington-  -Mr*  Leng-. Rowley- -South  Shields—Mr.  Harbottle  ••Newcas- 
tle, Mr.  Banks-  -Mrs.  Mark-  -Dr.  Ryland-  -Mr.  Joseph  Forster-  -Middleton, 
Mr.  Stag- -Mr.  Roe-South  Shields- -Masham,  &c..-Wol8inghain,  M?, 
Thomson- -Berwick— Mr.  W.  H.Angus-Mr.  Tapscott—  Messrs* 


CONTENTS.  ,  xiil. 

and  Hall- -Forest- -Brough- -Mr.  Sneath--Mr.  Roe--Maryport--Ravenglas 

•  •Hindley,  Broomley,  and  Shotley  Field- -Newcastle,  Providence  Chapel, 
R.  B.  Sanderson,  Esqr.-  -Bedlington-  -Dr.  Steadman-  -Mr.  Edward  Wilkin- 
son--Dr.  Marshman,  &c.--Mr.  Williamson- -Mr.  Sappit,  and  Mrs.  Mar- 
shall.-Eusebius       ••  ..  ....  ..  ..  ..268 

CHAPTER  II. 

Formation  of  the  Home  Missionary  Auxiliary-  -Mr.  Roe-  -Mr.  Pulsford-  -Mr. 
Carrick-  -Mr.  Bilson-  -Whitena-ven-  -Mr.  Pulsford.  -Mrs.  Douglas  •  -Mr. 
William  Angus-  -Mr.  Joseph  Thompson-  -Mr.  H.  Angus-  -Mr.  H.  B.  Angus 

•  •Mr.  Brown- -Mr.   Sneath-  -Broomhaugh--  Separation  I  of  Rowley  and 
Broomley -. -Mr.  Macgowan-  -Mr.  Lewis- -Miss  H.  E.  Fenwick- -Ford Forge 

•  •  New  Bridge-street  •  •  Sunderland  •  •  Monkwearmouth  —Newcastle-  -Mr. 
Christopherson-  -South  Shields-  -North  Shields. -Mr.  Garthorn-  -Mr.  Pen- 
gilly's  Resignation- -Mr.  Sample's  Recognition' -Prospect  of  Bicentenary 
of  1852  ••  Lancashire  aud  Cumberland  ••  Tabular   Views  ...  Concluding 
Remarks    ....          ...          . .          . .          . .  . .          . .     284 


INTEODUCTOEY  EEHAEKS. 

State  of  Dissent,  &c.— The  Baptists— Their  recent  and  ancient  character-— 
At  the  Reformation— Muncer  and  the  German  peasants— The  sack  of 
Munster — The  Baptists  execrated — Menno  Simon — Models  the  Baptists- 
Continental  and  English  Baptists— Baptists  descended  from— The  Hussites 
— Wickliffites  and  Lollards— The  Albigenses— Beghards— Cathari— Petro- 
brussians — Henricians — Leonists — Waldenses — Paulicians — Novationists — 
Donatists — Montanists — Apostolic  Succession — Puseyism — Political  state  of 
England  before  our  history  begins— The  Tudors— Stuarts— Charles  I.— Re- 
ligious state— Phases  of  Reformation— Henry,  Edward,  Elizabeth— Puri- 
tans—Presbyterians— Independents— Baptists— History— Sentiments. 

DISSENT  and  Methodism  in  the  British  empire,  in  our  own  time, 
have  assumed  an  appearance  so  distinct  and  imposing,  that  their 
operations,  sentiments,  and  history,  have  become  themes  of  the 
deepest  interest  to  the  philosopher,  the  historian,  the  politician, 
and  the  political  economist.  The  section  of  dissent,  to  which  our 
narrative  has  reference,  though  small  in  comparison  with  some 
others,  yet,  in  consequence  of  the  pre-eminent  talents  of  some  of 
its  ministers,  the  success  which  has  attended  its  missionaries, 
both  in  the  East  and  West  Indies,  especially  in  the  translation  of 
the  Scriptures,  their  labours  for  Negro  emancipation,  and  the 
numbers  of  their  converts,  has  been  rendered  of  no  small  importance 
among  other  sections  of  the  Christian  church,  in  Britain,  in 
modern  times . 

As  a  denomination,  perhaps,  in  one  sense,  it  may  be  said  not  to 
be  an  old  one ;  and  in  another,  it  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the 
most  ancient  bearing  the  Christian  name.  It  was  in  1689,  the 
year  after  the  Revolution,  that  the  first  General  Assembly  of  the 
Baptist  body  was  held.  Previously,  that  body  existed  as  churches 
only ;  but  owing  to  the  severe  Parliamentary  penal  statutes,  rela- 
tive to  Nonconformity,  they  were  prevented  from  enjoying  the 
general  union  they  desired.  But  though  their  churches  existed, 
the  historical  existence  of  these  churches  does  not  carry  us  much 
beyond  the  beginning  of  the  seventeenth  century:  as  the  commence- 
ment of  the  church  of  Eyethorn,  Kent,  the  oldest  known,  is 

d 


INTKODTJCTION. 

limited  to  1604.  Foreign  communities  of  this  party,  are,  indeed, 
represented  as  existing  in  London,  sometime  previous  to  this ; 
but  these  communities  would  have  little  stability,  as  regards 
either  the  places  where  they  met,  or  the  individuals  of  whom  they 
were  composed. 

On  the  Continent,  soon  after  the  Reformation,  the  Baptists  be- 
came a  very  respectable  body,  under  the  guidance  of  Menno 
Simon.  Previously,  however,  they  were  in  bad  odour,  both  on 
the  Continent  and  in  England.  Two  circumstances  conduced  to 
this :  First,  The  heading  of  the  German  Boors,  or  peasants,  by 
Muneer,  a  Baptist.  These  peasants  engaged  in  a  civil  war  with 
their  princes,  for  a  redress  of  grievances.  This  was  not  a  Baptist 
war;  all  parties  were  connected  with  it,  Catholics  and  Protest- 
ants alike;  but  a  Baptist  was -the  leader,  and  this  has  identified 
it  with  the  Baptists.  Mtracer  -was,  however,  a  .good,  an  -able,  and 
respectable  man,  and  a  reformer,  .beloved  by  his 'master  Luther, 
who  usually  called 'him  his  Absalom, -and  Tieloved  equally 'by  the 
mass  of  the  German  population,  owing  to  his  carrying  out  the 
rights  of  conscience  and  civil  liberty  to  a  much  greater  extent 
than  the  reformers  in  general.  In  an  evil  hour,  however,  for 
himself  as  a  religious  man,  and  his  party  in  general  as  a  religious 
body,  he  undertook  to  conduct  the  popular  movement.  That 
movement  failed.  He  himself  perished,  and  Anabaptism  bore  the. 
blame  of  having  excited  a  civil  war.* 

The  affair  of  taking  and  sacking  the  city  of  Munster,  in  West- 
phalia, was  another  circumstance  which  tended  at  this  time 
greatly  to  injure  the  Baptists.  Contention  had  begun  in  this  city 
in  1532,  between  the  Catholics  and  the  Protestants.  In  this  state 
of  confusion,  a  number  of  wild  and  infatuated  individuals  seized 
on  it.  These  professed  to  be  Baptists,  and  held  the  sentiments  of 
those  who  were  termed  Fifth  Monarchists.  Under  the  influence  of 

*  On  this  movement  we  have  the  following  remarks  : — "  These  -unhappy 
peasants  were  in  a  state  of  villeinage.  The  grievances  from  which  they  pray- 
edfor  deliverance  weremany  and  great.  Amongst  the  most  conspicuous  of  their 
demands  were— emancipation  from  personal  bondage — the  right  of  electing 
their  religious  teachers— that  of  Killing  untamed  animals  without  the  restraint 
of-game  laws,  and  a  participation  -with  the  clergy  in  tithes  limited  to  'Corn. 
These  demands  were  in  themselves  not  unreasonable,  though  urged  by  armed 
revolters.  Their  lords  subdued  the  rebellion— but  disregarded  the  grievances, 
while  they  drowned  the  revolt  in  a  deluge  of  blood.  It  sometimes  happens 
that  the  very  grievousness  of  the  evils  unfits  the  sufferers  for  the  perilous  re- 
medies which  are  alone  efficacious."— SIR  J.  MACINTOSH'S  HIST.  - 
Vol.  ii.  pp.  147  &  148. 


INTRODUCTION.  XV11. 

these  ideas,  it  is  said  by  Mosheim,  that  on  their  seizure  of  the  city, 
•"  They  gave  out  that  they  were  messengers  from  heaven,  with  a 
Divine  commission,  to  lay  the  foundations  of  a  new  government, 
a  holy  and  spiritual  empire^  and  to  destroy  and  overturn  all  tem- 
poral rule  and  authority,  all  human  and  political  institutions.." 
Then  they  erected  a  new  kingdom,  which  they  called  the  New 
Jerusalem,  and  one  John  Blockhold,  or  John  of  Ley  den,  was  de- 
clared king  and  legislator.  It  is  also  said  "  That  he  ran  through 
the  streets  in  a  state  of  nudity,  and  married  eleven  wives."  This 
state  of  things  remained  for  three  years.  How  they  conducted 
themselves  during  these  years,  we  are  not  told  particularly ;  but 
in  1536,  the  bishop  and  sovereign  of  the  city,  Count  Waldeck, 
assisted  by  the  other  princes  of  Germany,  attacked  them,  retook 
the  city,  and  put  the  leaders  to  an  ignominious  death. 

Immediately  on  the  issue  of  these  events,  execrations,  everywhere, 
by  every  party,  were  poured  on  the  devoted  heads  of  the  Anabap- 
tists. The  violenceof  Luther  and  other  reformers  against  their  views 
of  believers'  baptism,  against  their  condemnation  of  infant  sprink- 
ling, their  opposition  to  the  interference  of  the  magistracy  in  re- 
ligious matters,  their  more  correct  views  of  the  spiritual  nature  of 
Christ's  kingdom,  together  with  their  more  liberal  ideas  on  civil  and 
religious  liberty — led  these  good  men  unfairly  to  seize  on  an  event 
perpetrated  by  a  few  extreme  enthusiasts,  and  through  them  to  accuse 
the  whole  Baptist  body.  This  body,  as  Mosheim  declares,  was  com- 
posed of  a  number  of  separate  sects  or  parties,  "  For,"  says  he,  "it 
must  be  carefully  observed,  that  though  all  these  projectors  of  a  new 
and  perfect  church,  were  comprehended  under  the  general  denomi- 
nation of  Anabaptists,  on  account  of  their  opposing  the  baptism  of 
infants,  and  their  rebaptizing  all  such  as  had  received  the  sacra- 
ment in  a  state  of  childhood  in  other  churches,  yet  they  were 
from  their  origin  subdivided  into  various  sects,  which  differed  from 
each  other  in  points  of  no  small  moment."  He  then  affirms  that, 
"the  most  pernicious  of  these  sects,  was  that  in  which  the  founders 
pretended  to  be  under  the  direction  of  a  Divine  impulse,  and  were 
armed  against  all  opposition  by,  as  they  affirmed,the  power  of  work- 
ing miracles."  It  is  a  circumstance  also  well  known,  that  among 
the  sober  Presbyterians  and  Episcopalians  of  our  own  day,  enthu- 
siasts of  this  kind  have  arisen,  pretending  to  the  possession  of 
great  powers.*  Can  it  be  surprising  then,  that  at  such  a  period 
as  the  Reformation,  when  men  were  merely  emerging  as  it  were 

*  The  Rev.  Edward  Irving,  and  Thorn  of  Canterbury,  are  cases  in  point. 

d  2 


XV111.  INTRODUCTION. 

from  an  old  to  a  new  world,  an  extreme  party,  of  a  generally 
respectable  denomination,  should  he  guilty  of  some  extravagances  # 
The  sentiment  among  the  Baptists,  however,  at  this  time,  which 
gave  most  umbrage,  especially  to  the  civil  governments  of  the 
different  countries  where  they  were  located,  was  the  Millena- 
rian.  They  almost  all  held  the  personal  reign  of  Christ  upon 
earth  at  the  Millenial  period,  and  this  was  called  the  Fifth 
Monarchy,  arising  from  the  view  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  pre- 
sented in  the  following  portions  of  Scripture,  Daniel  iv.  and  vii.; 
Rev.  xx.  There  was,  indeed,  on  this  head,  a  difference  among  them. 
One  party  held  that  all  this  subjugation  of  the  world,  was  spiritual 
in  its  character,  and  would  he  accomplished  by  the  Prince  of  Peace, 
in  a  peaceable  manner :  the  other  entertained  the  notion  that  it 
would  be  accomplished  by  physical  force ;  and  these  latter,  guided 
by  wild  and  fanatical  leaders,  as  we  have  seen,  were  led  at 
different  times,  most  foolishly,  indeed,  and  wickedly,  to  give 
battle  to  the  civil  powers.  But  this  was  not  confined  to  Baptists. 
Some  that  contended  strenuously  for  infant  baptism,  held  the  same 
views,  and  acted  in  a  similar  manner. 

The  Baptists,  evidently,  at  this  time,  needed  a  wise  and  power- 
ful mind  to  guide  them,  and  God  raised  them  up  one  in  the  person 
of  Menno  Simon.  Originally  bred  a  Roman  Catholic  priest,  and 
of  gay  licentious  habits,  he  seems  to  have  been  brought  under  the 
influence  of  true  piety  previously  to  1536,  and  had  held  private 
communications  with  the  Baptists  of  Friesland,  in  Holland,  of 
which  place  he  was  a  native.  With  them  he  openly  united  himself 
during  the  above  year,  and  he  is  thus  described  by  Mosheim: 
"  He  had  the  invaluable  advantage  of  a  natural  and  persuasive 
eloquence,  and  his  learning  was  sufficient  to  make  him  pass  for 
an  oracle  in  the  eyes  of  the  multitude.  He  appears  also  to  have 
been  a  man  of  probity,  of  a  meek  and  tractable  spirit,  gentle  in 
his  manners,  pliable  and  obsequious  in  his  commerce  with  persons, 
and  extremely  zealous  in  promoting  practical  religion  and  virtue, 
which  he  recommended  by  his  example  as  well  as  by  his  pre- 
cepts." As  to  the  views  taught  by  Menno,  Mosheim  states,  that 
"he  expressed  his  displeasure  of  the  licentious  tenets  which  se- 
veral of  the  Anabaptists  had  maintained  with  respect  to  the  use- 
fulness of  polygamy  and  divorce,  and  considered,  as  unworthy  of 
toleration,  those  fanatics  that  were  of  opinion  that  the  Holy  Ghost 
continued  to  descend  into  the  minds  of  many  chosen  believers,  in 
as  extraordinary  a  manner  as  at  the  first  establishment  of  th» 


INTRODUCTION. 

Christian  church,  by  miracles,  predictions,  dreams,  and  visions  of 
Various  kinds.  He  still,  indeed,  retained  the  doctrines  commonly 
received  among  the  Anabaptists,  in  relation  to  the  baptism  of  in- 
fants, the  Millenium,  or  thousand  years'  reign  of  Christ  on  earth, 
the  exclusion  of  magistrates  from  the  Christian  church,  [that  is,  it 
ia  supposed,  their  interference,  as  magistrates,  with  the  affairs  of  the 
church,]  the  abolition  of  war,  and  the  prohibition  of  oaths  enjoined 
by  our  Saviour,  and  the  vanity  as  well  as  pernicious  effects  of  hu- 
man science.  But  while  Menno  retained  these  doctrines  in  a 
general  way,  he  explained  and  modified  them  in  such  manner,  as 
made  them  resemble  the  religious  tenets  that  were  universally  re- 
ceived in  the  Protestant  churches."* 

Such  then  was  the  state  of  the  Baptists,  on  the  Continent, 
at  the  period  of  the  Reformation ;  and,  as  they  at  this  time 
were  either  Dutch  or  Germans,  and  as  one  of  the  first  Baptist 
churches  in  England  was  originally  formed  in  Holland,  so  it  i.«  a 
natural  supposition  that  the  tenets  held  by  the  early  English  Bap- 
tists, would  considerably  resemble  those  of  the  Meunonites  on  the 
Continent.  Many,  however,  of  the  English  ministers  were  learned 
and  able  men.  Being  also  independent  thinkers,  the  whole  system 
of  theology  was  reviewed  by  them,  as  well  as  the  discipline  and 
ordinances  of  the  churches  of  the  New  Testament;  and,  therefore, 
by  the  views  they  formed  from  the  Scriptures  they  would  be 
guided,  much  more  than  by  the  model  of  Menno  Simon. 

As  to  the  existence  of  those  who  held  tenets  corresponding  to 
the  modern  Baptists,  previously  to  the  Reformation,  we  intro- 
duce again  another  statement  from  Mosheim :  "  The  Mennonites 
are  not  entirely  mistaken,"  he  affirms,  "  when  they  boast  of  their 
descent  from  the  Waldenses,  Petrobrusians,  and  other  ancient 
sects,  who  are  usually  considered  as  witnesses  of  the  truth,  in  the 
times  of  universal  darkness  and  superstition.  Before  the  rise  of 
Luther  and  Calvin,  there  lay  concealed  in  almost  all  the  countries 
of  Europe,  particularly  in  Bohemia,  Moravia,  Switzerland,  and 
Germany,  many  persons  whd  adhered  tenaciously  to  the  following 
doctrine,  viz.:  "That  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  or  the  visible  church 
He  had  established  on  earth,  was  an  assembly  of  real  saints,  and 

*  Menno  Simon  was  born  in  1505.  He  was  converted  about  his  thirtieth 
year,  and  lived  till  he  was  about  fifty-seven.  He  died  at  a  nobleman's  seat, 
in  Holstein,  whither  he  had  retired  for  protection,  from  his  enemies,  in  1561. 
He  was  eminently  successful  among  the  Baptists,  but  had  much  trouble 
from  the  differences  between  the  rigid  and  the  mild  parties,  the  one  in  North 
Holland  and  the  other  in  Flanders. 

d  3 


XX.  INTEODUCTION. 

ought,  therefore,  to  be  inaccessible  to  the  wicked  and  unrighteous, 
and  also  exempt  from  all  those  institutions  which  human  prudence 
suggests  to  oppose  the  progress  of  iniquity,  or  to  correct  and  re- 
form transgressors,"  [or  in  other  words,  absence  of  state  coiitroul]" 
"This  maxim,"  Mosheim  says,  "was  tenaciously  adhered  to  by 
the  Waldenses,  Wickcliffites,  and  Hussites,  the  precursors  of  the 
Reformation."    Let  us  then  glance  at  the  views  of  each  of  these. 
With  regard  to  the  Hussites,  they  are  said,  by  Erasmus,  "to 
have  renounced  all  the  rites  and  ceremonies  of  the  Catholic  church. 
They  ridicule  our  doctrine  and  practice  (as  "Reformers,)  in  both  the 
sacraments.     They  admit  none  till  they  are  dipped  in  water,  and 
they  reckon  one  another,  without  distinction  of  rank,  to  be  called 
brothers  and  sisters."    The  Hussites  prevailed  in  Hungary,  Sile- 
sia, and  Poland,  though  most  numerous  in  tho>$e  cities  of  Germany 
which  lay  on  the  Rhine,  and  especially  at  Cologne.     They  were, 
however,  divided  in  sentiment.   One  party  acknowledged  the  pope 
as  head  of  the  church.    A  second  party  differed  only  from  popery 
in  receiving  both  the  bread  and  wine  in  the  Eucharist,  and  read- 
ing some  things  in  the  vulgar  tongues.    The  third  were  called 
Picards  or  Begards — these  called  the  pope  Antichrist — took  all 
their  views  from  the  Bible — chose  their  own  instructors — denied, 
marriage  to  none,  opposed  offices  for  the  dead,  and  had  few  holy 
days  or  ceremonies.f    Huss  was  martyred  in  1415,  one  hundred 
and  two  years  before  Luther  began  the  Reformation,  in  Germany. 
He  had  had  his  views  greatly  guided  by  the  writings  of  Wickliffe, 
brought  to  Bohemia  by  the  Queen  of  Richard  the  Second  of  Eng- 
land.    Thus  by  his  teaching  and  example,  was  a  large  part  of 
Germany  prepared  for  the  Reformation,  and  disposed  to  carry  it 
•.further  than  even  Luther  himself. 

As  to  the  Morning  Star  of  the  Reformation — the  instructor  of 
Huss — the  great  John  Wickliffe,  he  was  a  native  of  the  North  of 
England,  being  born  in  1324,  at  a  hamlet  that  bears  his  name, 
about  five  or  six  miles  east  of  Barnard-castle,  on  the  south 
side  of  the  Tees,  which  separates  Yorkshire  from  Durham.  He 
opposed,  by  his  teaching  and  writing,  the  various  errors  of  popery, 
and  also  presented  views,  for  that  time,  wonderfully  congenial  with 
the  primitive  model  of  Christianity.  Dr.  Hurd  affirms,  that  many 

*  This  and  the  preceding  quotations  from  Mosheim,  are  taken  from  his 
History  of  the  Anabaptists.  CH.  HIST.  16th  CENT.,  3rd  sect,  part  2. 

f-  See  Sleiden,  Hist,  of  Reform,,  Lon.  Encyclo.art.  Huss  and  Reform,  SiC.} 
by  Orchard,  in  his  History  of  "  the  Foreign  Baptists,' 


INTRODUCTION.  XXI. 

learned  men  agree  in  stating,  "  that  Wickliffe  denied  Infant  Bap- 
tism."* This  then  harmonizes  with  what  is  said  by  Erasmus, 
of  the  Hussites,  who  were  influenced  by  Wickliffe's  writings. 
"Wickliffe  is  said  to  have  been  instructed  by  Drs.  Islip  and  Brad- 
wardine,  both  Archbishops  of  Canterbury,  and  they  are  affirmed  to 
have  received  their  religious  views,  partly,  from  the  Ancient  British 
Christians!  in  Wales,  and,  partly,  from  the  wandering  Waldenses 
or  Lollards,  from  the  south-west  of  France,  then  under  the  domi- 
nion of  the  king  of  England.  Walter  Lollard,  one  of  the  Walden- 
sian  ministers,  is  also  stated  to  have  visited  England,  about  this 
time,  and  his  followers  were  called  afterwards  Lollards.  The 
term  Wickliffites  attached  equally  to  the  same  party. 

The  Dissenters  from  popery  in  the  south  of  France — the  teach- 
ers of  Wickliffe,  have  different  names  assigned  them.  From  Albi, 
a  city  in  Languedoc,  they  are  called  Albigenses.  From  some  of 
their  more  eminent  teachers,  Peter  de  Bruys  and  Henry  of  Tou- 
louse, they  are  called  Petrobrnssians  and  Henricians  ;  Leonists, 
and  poor  men  of  Lyons,  from  Lyons  being  the  residence  of  another 
distinguished  teacher,  Peter  Waldo.  They  were  also  called,  from 
the  purity  and  consistency  of  their  conduct,  Cathari,  or  Gazari, 
viz.,  purists  or  puritans.  It  is  highly  probable  that  among  these 
there  would  be  diversity  of  sentiment  on  several  subjects;  but  that 
•some  of  them  were  Baptists,  and  probably  the  majority  of  them, 
is  evident  from  many  testimonies.  We  select  the  charges  pre- 
ferred against  them,  by  one  of  the  best  of  the  papal  ministers  of 
that  period,  viz.,  Bernard,  Abbot  of  Clairvaux.  "  How  great" 
he  states,  "  are  the  evils  we  have  heard  and  known  to  be  done  by 
Henry  [of  Toulouse]  the  heretic,  and  what  he  is  every  day  doiug 
in  the  churches  of  Grod  I  He  wanders  up  and  down  in  sheeps' 
clothing,  being  a  ravenous  wolf!  But,  according  to  the  hint  given 
by  our  Lord,  we  know  him  by  his  fruits.  The  churches  are  with- 
out people,  the  people  without  priests,  priests  without  reverence, 
and  lastly,  Christians  without  Christ.  The  life  of  Christ  is  denied 
to  infants,  by  refusing  them  the  grace  of  baptism,  nor  are  they 
suffered  to  draw  near  unto  salvation,  though  our  Saviour  cried  out, 
on  their  behalf,  '  Suffer  little  children  to  come  unto  me,'  "  &c.f 

Their  can  be  little  doubt  that  these  Albigenses,  &c.,  sprang 
from  the  Vaudois  or  Vallenses,  the  inhabitants  of  the  vallies  of 
Piedmont,  in  the  Alpine  mountains.  About  the  beginning  of  the 

*  History  of  all  Religions. 
i  Alljx  Albig.  c.  14,  p.  127,  &c.,  (jfeoted  by  Orchard. 


XXU.  INTRODUCTION. 

twelfth  century,  however,  they  received  a  strong  re-inforcemcnfc 
of  a  people  from  the  west  of  Asia,  holding  similar  principles. 
These  were  called  Paulicians,  from  their  attachment  to  the  writings 
of  the  Apostle  Paul.  They  had  their  rise  in  the  seventh  century, 
through  the  medium  of  one  Constantine,  of  Manalis,  in  Armenia, 
who,  by  the  hand  of  a  stranger,  had  received  the  four  gospels  and 
the  epistles  of  Paul.  Regarding  his  tenets,  and  those  of  his  fol- 
lowers, Mosheim  says,  "  It  is  evident  they  rejected  the  baptism 
of  infants ;"  and  Dr.  Allix  says,  "They,  with  the  Manichaeans, 
were  Anabaptists,  or  rejecters  of  infant  baptism." 

"With  regard  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  vallies,  the  Vaudois,  or 
"Valdenses,  we  are  told,  by  Dr.  "Waddington,  that  there  is  no  direct 
mention  of  them  in  history,  before  the  twelfth  century.    But  the 
tradition  of  their  early  history  is  preserved  by  their  enemies,  as  well 
as  friends.  Reiner  Saccho,  an  apostate  from  them,  affirms,  "  that 
they  are  the  most  ancient  sect,  some  say  as  old  as  Sylvester, 
others,  of  the  apostles  themselves."      Claudius  Styssel,  arch- 
bishop  of  Turin,   traces   the    origin    of   the   "Waldenses  to  a 
person  of  the  name  of  Leo,  in  the  fourth  century.    Paul  Perriu, 
their  historian,  asserts,  "  That  the  Waldeuses  were  time  out  of 
mind  in  Italy  and  Dalmatia,  and  were  the  offspring  of  the  Nova- 
tianists,   who  were  persecuted  arid  driven  from  Rome,  about 
A.  D,  400 ;  and  who  for  purity  of  communion  were  called  Puri- 
tans."*   Here,  then,  by  the  tradition  of  both  friends  and  foes, 
their  origin  is  traced  to  the  first  Dissenters  from  the  church  at 
Rome,  the  Novatianists.    Novatian  was  a  presbyter  of  Rome, 
who  contended  strenuously  for  purity  of  communion,  and  affirmed, 
that  all  who  apostatised  from  the  faith  for  fear  of  death,  should  not 
be  received  into  the  church  again  till  they  were  re-baptized.  Hence 
he  was  called  an  Anabaptist  or  rebaptizer.    The  church  at  Rome 
would  not  agree  to  this  view,  and  Novatian  withdrew,  along  'with' 
those  who  were  like-minded,  and  thus  became  the  first  Dissenters  for 
Christian  purity  of  communion,  we  have  on  record,  A.  D.  250.  He 
had  a  large  church  at  Rome,  and  his  followers  were  scattered 
through  Italy,  and  all  other  parts  of  the  Roman  Empire.  Donatus 
and  Montanus,   in  Africa,  had  adopted  nearly  similar  views.' 
Tertullian  was  a  Montanist,  and  we  find  him  opposing  infanV 
baptism,  A.  D.  200. 

It  is  probable  that  infant  baptism  was  introduced  into  the 
Catholic  church  about  thisptime,  arising  from  the  interpretation  of 

*  Danveri  on  Baptism,  p,  273,  also  quoted  by  Orchard. 


INTRODUCTION.  xxiii. 

our  Lord's  words,  "  Except  a  man  be  born  of  water  and  of  the 
Spirit,  he  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God."  Baptism  in 
water -then,  not  as  an  act  of  obedience,  and  a  symbol  of  the  puri- 
fying of  the  Holy  Spirit,  but  as  an  essential  ingredient  of  salva- 
tion, in  itself  considered,  laid  hold  of  the  mind.  Hence,  when 
any  infant  or  minor  was  about  to  expire,  in  order  to  his  salvation, 
he  was  instantly  sprinkled  with  water.*  The  healthy  were 
not  baptized,  but  became  catechumens,  and  were  baptized  at 
different  ages.  Constantino  was  not  baptized  till  near  death. 
The  practice  came  on  gradually.  It  was  sanctioned  by  Cyprian 
in  256,  and  by  Augustine  in  416.  The  first  canon  in  Europe  for 
it  was  in  517,  and  the  first  law  in  789.  It  then  spread  rapidly .t 
If  Novatian  had  baptized  infants, — from  the  views  he  enter- 
tained of  Christian  purity  of  communion, — he  must,  we  suppose, 
have  been  under  the  necessity  of  baptizing  all,  or  nearly  all 
those  babes  he  had  immersed  in  infancy,  over  again.  Of  this, 
however,  we  have  no  account,  and,  therefore,  it  seems  reason- 
able to  conclude  that  he  never  baptized  infants;  and  hence, 
the  general  prevalence  of  Anti-psedobaptist  sentiments  among  the 
Waldenses  and  other  ancient  Nonconformists. 

Thus  have  we  taken  a  hasty  survey  of  the  exhibition  of  Baptist 
principles,  under  a  variety  of  names,  from  nearly  the  apostolic 
era  to  the  present  time,  and  have,  we  trust,  shewn  successfully, 
that  there  have  been  those  in  all  ages  who  have  sighed  for  purity 
of  communion,  and  have  made  baptism  the  line  of  demarcation 
between  the  church  and  the  world.  We  conclude,  that  the  Bap- 
tists are  a  very  ancient  party,  desirous  ever  to  maintain  purity  of 
Christian  character,  and  of  apostolic  institutions.  In  the  present 
day,  we  hear  a  great  deal  more  than  enough  respecting  apostolic 
succession,  and  the  virtue  of  the  sacraments,  as  administered  by 
the  hands  of  an  apostolic  successor.  If  the  matter  were  worth 
dispute,  we  might  try  to  show,  for  argument's  sake,  that  the  Baptists 
were  pretty  near  akin  to  these  successors ;  for  supposing  the  church 
of  England  to  have  attained  this  apostolic  succession,  through  the 
church  of  Kome,  then,  if  the  Baptists  are  the  legitimate  descendants 
of  the  Novatianists,  they  must  have  it  too.  Nay,  Novatian  pos- 
sessed  it  in  a  much  purer  state  than  Cranmer  did.  Again,  if  it  is 
actually  in  the  church  of  England,  why  may  it  not  be  carried  out  of 
her,  as  well  as  she  carried  it  out  of  the  church  of  Home  ?  If  so, 
"  *  This  was  called  clinical  or  sick-bed  baptism, 

t  Robinson's  Hist,  of  Baptism, 


XXIV.  INTRODUCTION. 

then  must  the  ordination  imparted  by  Hanserd  Knollys  and  Henry 
Jlessey,  Baptist  ministers,,  originally  ordained  in  the  church^  he 
as  purely  apostolic  as  the  ordination,  of  Latimer  and  Ridley .? 

But  why  dispute  ahout  a  matter  rendered  nugatory  by  the.  con- 
tending parties  themselves?  Is  it  not  the  fact  that  the  Evangelical 
party  in  the  Church,  with  all  their  apostolic  ordination,  are  now 
denounced  by  the  self-called  apostolicals,  in  their  Tracts  for  the 
Last  Times,  as  the  Antichrist  of  the  New  Testament,  the  man  of 
sin,  the  mystery  of  iniquity,  the  beast  with  seven  heads  and  ten 
horns,  the  scarlet-coloured  strumpet  of  the  Book  of  Revelation  ? 
If  preaching  the  doctrines  of  grace  then,  by  Baptist  Noel,  destroys 
his  apostolic  succession,  surely  acting  in  direct  opposition  to  all 
the  morality  of  the  New  Testament,  and  selling  the  forgiveness  of 
sin  for  money,  cannot  preserve  the  apostolic  succession,  if  they 
ever  had  it,  of  an  Alexander  Borgia  and  a  Leo  the  Tenth.  But 
enough,  the  hoax  surely  will  not  take  in  England.  Men  of  sense 
and  principle,  will  expose  its  hollowness  and  craft  to  the  light  of 
day,  and  even  the  comparatively  uneducated  masses  of  the  people, 
whose  logical  powers,  are,  generally  speaking,  tolerably  clear,  and 
lead  to  a  plain  common  sense  conclusion,  will  perceive,  and  con- 
clude at  once,  that  the  logic  and  theology  of  Oxford  never  would 
have  been  so  perverted,  nor  the  spawn  of  "young  England"  so  nu- 
merous, had  there  not  been  loaves  and  fishes  connected  with  the 
question.  But,  we  must  now  take  a  brief  view  of  the  character  of 
the  times  in  England,  at  the  commencement  of  our  narrative. 

On  the  destruction  of  the  Plantagenet  dynasty,  in  the  person  of 
Richard  the  Third,  at  the  battle  of  Bosworth,  in  1485,  the  crown 
of  England  was  placed  on  the  head  of  the  first  of  the  Tudors, 
Henry  the  Seventh.  By  the  circumstances  in  which  this  dynasty 
were  placed,  their  own  sagacity  and  determination,  of  character, 
they,  notwithstanding  the  external  symbols  of  freedom,  depressed 
the  kingdom  nearly  to  a  despotism.  This  despotism,  however, 
in  time  begat  a  re-action  in  the  minds  of  the  people,  including 
some  of  the  higher  classes,  who  chiefly  felt  its  weight.  This 
re-action  commenced  in  the  latter  part  of  the  reign  of  the  last  of 
the  dynasty,  Queen  Elizabeth.  "When  the  sceptre  dropped  into 
the  hands  of  the  feebler  Stuarts,  the  re-action  rose,  in  time,  to  its 

*  The  grand  test  of  apostolic  descent  or  succession,  is  not  history,  but  cha- 
racter—not ordination,  however  pure,  but  the  actual  possession  of  apostolic 
faith,  practice,  spirit,  and  zeal.  This  has  been  the  great  aim  of  the  Baptists' 
Let  them  aim  at  it  more  and  more,  then  when  the  question  is  decided  at 
the  bar  of  the  Eternal,  we  shall  see  who  has  the  best  claim. 


INTRODUCTION.  XXV. 

height.  Jo.  the  days  of  James  the  First,  from  1603  to  1625,  much 
progress  was  made.  When  his  son  Charles  the  First,  at  the  age 
of  twenty-five,  ascended  the  throne,  the  Commons  of  England 
would  not  vote  the  supplies  he  sought,  without  a  redress  of  griev- 
ances. This  was  the  case  in  the  three  successive  Parliaments  of 
the  first  four  years  of  his  reign.  It  is  true,  he  granted,  with  great 
reluctance,  the  Petition  of  Right;  but,  for  eleven  years  afterwards, 
he  governed  by  his  own  will,  without  Parliaments,  and  raised 
supplies  in  opposition  to  the  will  .of  the  people  and  the  Petition  :of 
Eight,  that  he'himself  had  agreed  io.  In  the  .meantime,  two  great 
events  occurred,  the  trial  of  Hampden,  :and  tie  war  with  the 
Scotch,  on  account  of  their  refusal  to  have  Episcopacy  imposed  on 
them.  Money  was  now  wanted ;  a  Parliament  -was  called ;  griev- 
ances, instead  of  supplies,  were  presented.  Tie  Parliament  was 
again  dissolved.  Charles,  however,  was  in  the  greatest  straits, 
and  he  -was 'forced  to  call  another. 

This  was  the  famous  long  Parliament.  It  met  November  3rd, 
1640.  Its  doings  -were  awfully  retributive.  The  Earl  of  Strafford 
and  Archbishop  Land,  the  kings  prime  ministers  and  agents,  were 
condemned  to  die.  Episcopacy  was  abolished ;  and  lie  Commons 
demanded,  for 'a  time,  the  tjommand  of  the  army.  Charles  refused; 
a  civil  war  -commenced  in  1642,  'and  ended  in  1645,  by  the  deci- 
sive battle  of  Naseby,  gained  by  the  Parliament  over  the  king. 
Charles  then  surrendered  himself  to  the  Scotch  army.  That  army 
delivered  inn  ito  the  Parliament,  chiefly  composed  of  loyal  Pres- 
byterians. During  four  years  he  carried  on,  during  his  imprison- 
ments, in  different  places,  negociations  with  all  parties.  These 
failed.  He  fell,  at  length,  into  the  hands  of  the  army  and  the 
republicans — attempted  escape — was  tried  by  a  High  Court  of 
Justiciary  in  Westminster  Hall,  \vas  condemned,  and  beheaded 
January  30,  1649.  A  second  .civil  war  had  been  attempted,  on 
his  behalf,  in  the  west  of  England  and  Scotland.  By  the  genius, 
however,  of  the  great  Oliver  Cromwell,  whose  star  was  now  in  the 
ascendant,  it  was  speedily  suppressed.  Ireland  also,  was  subdued 
by  hinvand  the  attempt  of  young  Charles  to  regain  .the  throne  of 
his  father,  by  the  ^assistance  of  the  Scotch,  terminated  in  his  com- 
plete .defeat,  at  Worcester,  September  3rd,  1651.  Cromwell  now 
was  .raised  to  the  highest  honours  and  influence,  both  in  the  army 
and  in  the  council  of  state— was,  in  fact,  the  supreme  Governor  of 
the  Three  -Kingdoms. 

With  regard  to  the  state  of  religion   in  the  nation,  the  first 


XXVI.  INTRODUCTION. 

phase  of  the  Reformation  took  place  under  Henry  the  Eighth,  in 
1533;  the  second  under  his  son,  Edward  the  Sixth,  in  1547;  the 
third  under  Elizabeth,  in  1558.  During  her  reign,  two  parties 
grew  up  in  the  church,  the  High  Church  party  and  the  Puritans. 
This  latter  party  was  much  depressed  by  Elizabethj  but  it  still 
grew ;  and  in  the  end  of  her  reign,  and  in  the  reigns  of  her  suc- 
cessors, James  and  Charles,  it  linked  itself  to  the  cause  of  Patriot- 
ism; and  when  Episcopacy  was  abolished,  Presbyterianism,  to 
which  the  Puritans  had  leaned,  gained  the  ascendancy  in  the 
national  churches.  Some  of  the  ministers,  who  had  turned  Inde- 
pendents, were  allowed  to  remain,  and  so  also  a  few  that  were 
Baptists. 

Previously  to  this,  the  Baptists  who  had  appeared  in  England, 
were,  in  general,  severely  persecuted.  They  were  so,  under  the 
name  of  "Wickliffites  or  Lollards,  in  the  reign  of  Henry  the  Fourth 
and  Fifth ;  and  also  under  Henry  the  Eighth.  In  the  reign  of 
Edward  the  Sixth,  Joan  Boucher,  or  Joan  of  Kent,  a  person  of 
some  property  in  that  county,  on  account  of  distributing  Bibles, 
was  .brought  by  Cranmer  to  the  stake,  in  opposition  to  the  remon- 
strances of  the  young  king.  In  the  reign  of  Elizabeth  and  James, 
they  also  suffered  much.  Two  of  them  were  burnt  at  the  stake  in 
1611,  the  year  our  present  translation  of  the  Bible  was  published 
by  Royal  authority. 

In  the  midst  of  all  opposition,  Dissent  grew  and  multiplied. 
The  first  attempt  at  forming  a  Presbyterian  church,  was  at 
"Wandsworth,  Surrey,  in  1572.  The  Independents  began  in  1580, 
under  the  guidance  of  the  eccentric  Robert  Brown,  who  formed  a 
church  in  Holland.  Mr.  John  Smythe,  originally  a  minister  of 
the  Establishment,  joined  this  church  ;  but  he  afterwards  became 
a  Baptist,  formed  a  Baptist  church  in  Holland,  and  died  there, 
some  time  about  1612.  His  successors,  Messrs.  Tho.  Helwesse  and 
John  Morton,  together  with  their  people,  came  over  to  London, 
and  settled  there  about  1615.  This  was  the  first  General  Baptist 
church  in  England.  In  1616,  the  first  Independent  church  was 
formed,  by  Mr.  Henry  Jacob,  and  out  of  this  church,  in  1633, 
sprang  the  first  Particular  Baptist  church  in  London.  It  met  at 
"Wapping.  Mr.  John  Spilsbury  was  its  pastor.  Another  se- 
cession took  place  in  1639  ;  and  another  church  was  formed  at 
Crutched  Friars,  by  Messrs.  Green,  and  P.  Hobson,  and  Captain 
Spencer.  Between  1639  and  1646,  other  five  churches  were 
formed  in  London,  as  in  that  year  a  confession  was  put  forth,  by 


INTRODUCTION.  XXVU. 

what  are  termed  "  the  seven  churches  of  London  commonly,  but, 
unjustly,  called  Anabaptists."  It  was  addressed  to  the  members  of 
Parliament.  A  French  church,  of  the  same  faith  and  order,  is 
said  also  to  have  signed  it. 

The  Baptists  were  divided  into  two  bodies,— the  General  and 
Particular, — the  first  holding  General  Redemption,  with  tenets 
nearly  akin  to  the  modern  Wesleyans ;  the  other  holding  to  Par- 
ticular Redemption,  or  the  Calvinistic  doctrines  as  expressed  in  the 
articles  of  the  church  of  England,  and  the  Assembly's  catechism. 
Both  parties  held  the  independence  of  particular  churches,  and  the 
baptism  of  professed  believers  by  immersion.  They  rejected  the 
baptism  of  infants,  though  some,  like  the  Saviour,  took  them  up  in 
their  arms  and  blessed  them.  They  rejected  singing  in  public  wor- 
ship, but  some  of  them  had  lovefeasts  and  washed  the  saints'  feet. 
Some  held  the  six  principles  referred  to  in  Hebrew  vi.  I — 6.  The 
fourth  of  these,  laying  on  of  hands  on  admission  into  the  church 
after  being  baptized,  was  much  insisted  on  by  some.  Some  were 
open  and  others  were  strict  communionists.  Almost  all  held  the 
doctrine  of  the  personal  reign  of  Christ.  There  were,  however, 
among  them  but  few  physical  force  men.  Venner,  who  was  not  a 
Baptist,  seems  to  have  been  the  leader  of  the  party.  Such  was 
the  general  state  of  things,  among  the  Baptists,  when  our  narra- 
tive begins.!^ 


A  BRIEF 

HISTOKY  OE  TBGE  BAPTIST   CHUECHES 

i 
*    '• 

IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND. 


PERIOD  EIBST.-FKOM  1648  TO  1656. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Partiality  to  a  particular  theme. — Ours. — The  North. — Its  former 
state.— Its  present.— The  difference.— The  Baptists.— Brough- 
ion. — Cromwell's  officer. — Newcastle. — Mr.  Gower. — Hexham. 
— Mr.  Tillam. 

THEEE  is  a  tendency  in  writers  of  every  class  to  over 
estimate  the  theme  on.  which  they  have  chosen  to  dwell. 
The  philosopher  is  apt  to  magnify  that  portion  of  na- 
ture to  which  his  studies  are  more  particularly  directed ; 
the  novelist,  the  poet,  and  the  "biographer  are  in  danger 
of  imputing  qualities  to  their  heroes,  at  least  in  point  of 
degree,  that  never  belonged  to  them ;  and  the  historian 
is  disposed,  for  the  sake  of  effect,  not  only  unduly  to  ex- 
alt the  principal  but  even  the  subordinate  characters  of 
his  narrative ;  and  with  respect  to  that  region  of  earth 
which  he  wishes  to  illustrate,  no  portion  of  the  globe, 
in  his  esteem,  can  possibly  be  so  interesting. 

A 


2  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

The  North  of  England  is  the  theme  of  our  story,  to- 
gether with  casting  a  side  glance  at  what  has  transpired, 
a  little  way,  at  least,  to  the  north  and  the  south.  Were 
we  disposed  to  magnify  the  soil,  to  which  our  tale  has  a 
reference,  we  should  be  inclined  to  say,  that  few  spots, 
in  Britain,  are  so  truly  classical  as  the  debatable  land 
lying  on  the  borders  of  England  and  Scotland.  From 
Neville's  Cross,  near  the  banks  of  the  Wear,  to  Ban- 
nock Burn,  on  the  banks  of  the  Forth,  scarcely  Greece 
itself  can  present  such  themes  for  the  historic  muse,  or 
even  the  enchanting  pen  of  the  novelist.  This  portion 
of  our  country  was  anciently  the  scourge  of,  not  only  the 
warrior,  but  the  moss-trooper  and  the  freebooter.  Alter- 
nately in,  the  hand  of  one  party  or  another,  the  inhabi- 
tant scarcely  could  say  he  had  a  country  or  a  home. 
The  Scot,  with  all  the  ferocity,  not  only  of  a  feudal,  but 
of  a  barbaric,  or  even  a  savage  age — either  as  the  dupe 
of  a  distant  foreign  ally,  or  under  the  instigation  of  pri- 
vate revenge,  crossed  his  river  or  his  mountain  bound- 
ary, to  gratify  his  furtive  and  his  bloody  passions.  His 
neighbour  also,  the  stern  and  muscular  and  equally  fu- 
rious Saxon,  the  sentinel  of  the  border,  was  not  a  whit 
behind  him  in  his  thirst  for  blood  and  rapine. 

But  we  have  lived  to  see  other  days.  The  descend- 
ants of  the  ferocious  Scot  and  of  the  furious  Saxon  of 
the  debatable  land,  can  now  meet  as  brothers.  The 
peaceful  scenery  of  descriptive  prophecy  is  fulfilled  in 
them.  Their  agricultural  societies  on  either  border — 
the  useful  rivalry  they  exhibit  in  the  increased  value  of 
their  soil  and  stock,  prove,  that  the  trade  in  war  has 
gone  by,  and  that  the  deeds  of  their  forefathers,  if  not 
forgotten,  are  not  imitated.  The  sword,  according  to 
the  beautiful  language  of  prophetic  poetry,  has  now 
given  way  to  the  more  useful  ploughshare,  and  the  spear 
is  converted  into  a  pruning  hook.  They  learn  the  art 
of  war  no  more. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  3 

It  is  the  object  of  the  following  pages  to  exhibit  some- 
thing, on  a  small  scale,  which  has,  in  part,  contributed 
to  this.  Its  design  is  to  shew  what  the  peaceful  Gospel 
of  the  Son  of  God  has  done,  for  at  least  a  portion  of  the  sons 
of  the  north,  leading  them  to  hate  the  feuds  of  their  ances- 
tors, and  to  pursue  those  arts  and  employments  which 
are  adapted  to  make  a  world  happy.  It  is,  however, 
not  the  object  of  the  narrative  to  affirm,  that  all  that  has 
been  accomplished  in  this  way,  has  been  effected  by  the 
Baptists.  No ;  far  from  this ;  other  Christian  parties 
have  had  their  share,  as  well  as  they.  But  still,  there 
can  be  nothing  immodest  in  affirming,  that  the  Baptists 
have  attempted,  and,  in  some  degree,  accomplished 
their  part,  along  with  others,  in  this  holy  and  useful 
revolution. 

In  pursuing  the  first  period  of  our- history,  our  object 
is  to  trace,  as  far  as  we  can  ascertain  it,  either  from 
tradition  or  authentic  narrative,  the  origin  of  the  three 
oldest  of  the  Baptist  Churches  in  the  North  of  England, 
namely  Broughton,  Newcastle,  and  Hexham. 

1648. — Broughton  is  a  village  lying  about  three  miles 
to  the  west  of  Cockermouth,  in  Cumberland.  It  lies 
also  at  nearly  an  equal  distance  from  Maryport,  on  the 
•  Irish  Channel.  It  is  situated  in  a  beautifully  level,  yet 
slightly  undulating  and  fertile  country,  haying  the  sea 
on  the  one  hand,  and  the  bold  and  splendid  scenery  of 
the  lofty  Cumberland  and  Westmorland  mountains  on 
the  other— the  land  of  the  lakes— the  lake  poets,  of 
Skiddaw  and  Helvellyn. 

The  origin  of  the  Baptist  Church  in  this  village  is 
now  hid  in  obscurity.  Tradition,  however,  according 
to  the  account  of  its  late  minister,  (Mr.  S.  Huston,) 
places  it  in  the  year  1648.  This  year,  the  second  civil 
war  was  at  its  height.  The  Scotch  army  had  entered 
England,  on  the  western  border,  under  the  Duke  of 
Hamilton.  In  the  southern  part  of  the  kingdom,  that 

A  2 


4  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

new  war  had  been  already  suppressed,  and  Cromwell, 
hastening  northward,  totally  defeated  Hamilton  at  Pres- 
ton, retook  Berwick  and  Carlisle,  and  placed  garrisons 
in  them.  Cockermouth  castle,  is  said  to  have  been  also 
besieged  at  this  time,  and  would,  in  consequence,  share 
the  fate  of  other  places ;  it  would  be  .taken  and  garri- 
soned. An  officer  of  Cromwell's  army,  probably  in  the 
garrison,  as  was  the  custom  of  that  time,  spoke,  it  is 
supposed,  to  the  people  in  that  neighbourhood,  on  the 
subject  of  religion,  and  became  useful  to  some  of  them. 
The  result,  according  to  tradition,  is,  that  a  small  reli- 
gious society  was  established  at  Broughton.  It  is  not 
said  to  what  party  the  officer  belonged.  It  is  probable 
he  was  a  Baptist,  although  the  Baptists  did  not  become 
numerous  in  the  army  till  the  following  year.  At  all 
events,  the  religious  efforts  of  this  officer  are,  tradition- 
ally, said  to  be  the  origin  of  the  Baptist  cause  in  this 
place,  and  this  is,  at  present,  all  we  know  of  the  matter. 
Farther  reference  will  be  made  to  this  cause  in  the 
next  chapter.  In  the  mean  time,  we  must  repair  east- 
ward, to  the  banks  of  the  Tyne. 

16-50. — On  the  north  side  of  the  river  Tyne,  and  with- 
in eight  miles  of  the  German  ocean,  stands  the  metropo- 
lis of  the  north — the  interesting  town  of  Newcastle. 
This  town  has  long  been  distinguished  by  its  commercial 
importance,  being  reckoned  the  third  maritime  station  in 
England.  The  extensive  coal  fields  in  its  immediate 
neighbourhood,  and  the  equally  extensive  mines  of  lead,. 
&c.j  in  the  inland  mountainous  regions  of  Durham  and 
Northumberland,  make  its  yearly  exports  very  consi- 
derable. Such  has  been  its  condition  for  centuries. 

Lying  on  the  great  north  road  between  Scotland  and 
England,  Newcastle  holds  also  a  distinguished  place  in 
the  military  annals  of  the  country.  Having  a  strong 
fortification,  and,  from  the  extent  and  strength  of  its  walls, 
being  capable  of  being  stoutly  defended,  there  were  few 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  O 

war-like  movements,  between  the  inhabitants  of  the  nor- 
thern and  southern  parts  of  the  island,  in  which  it  did  not 
participate.  This  was  the  case,  particularly,  during  the 
civil  war  between  Charles  the  First  and  the  Parliament. 
It  was  to  Newcastle  that  the  monarch  was  conducted 
by  the  Scotch  army,  under  General  Lesley,  to  whom  he 
had  surrendered  himself,  at  Newark,  after  the  fatal  battle 
of  Naseby,  in  1645.  On  the  departure  of  the  northern 
army,  early  in  1647,  after  having  surrendered1  the  king 
into  the  hands  of  the  Parliament,  the  town  was  garri- 
soned by  the  troops  of  the  Parliamentary  army. 

It  was  sometime  between  this  period  and  the  year  1652, 
that  the  Baptist  Church  in  Newcastle  was  formed.  As 
however  it  is  affirmed,  on  good  authority,  that  there 
were  few  Baptists  in  the  army  before  the  king's  death,* 
it  is  ar  likely  circumstance  that  its  formation  took 
place  sometime  after  that  event;  probably  somewhere 
about  the  year  1650  or  1651.  The  Baptist  church,  at 
Hexham,  was  formed  in  the  year  1652;  and  in  one  of 
the  letters  sent  by  it  to  the  church  in  Coleman-street, 
London,  referring  to  the  church  in  Newcastle,  it  is 
mentioned  that  it  was,  "  the  only  church  in  these  parts 
in  the  possession  of  the  faith  before  us."  It  is  also 
farther  asserted  in  the  manuscript  church-book,  of  the 
society  at  Hexham,  that  "on  the  16  of  the  6  m. 
(1652)  Captain  Simpson  and  Captain  Mason,  with 
Brother  Blenkinsop,  came  to  visit  us,  by  orders  from 
the  London  and  Newcastle  churches ; — they  hearing  of 

*  The  following  extracts  of  a  letter  from  Captain  B.  Deane,  in. 
his  letter  to  Dr.  Barlow  of  Lincoln,  evince  the  truth  of  this:  "  In 
that  year  (1649)  did  this  opinion  (believers'  baptism,  See.)  spread 
itself  into  some  of  the  regiments  of  horse  and  foot  in  the  army ; 
and  in  1650,  some  professing  it,  were  called  from  their  private  em- 
ployments, and  promoted  to  command  at  sea.  Among  others, 
Captain  Mjldmay,  to  command  the  Admiral  flag  ship,  under  the 
late  Duke  of  Albernarle,  when  he  was  one  of  the  Generals  at  sea : 

A  3 


*>  HISTOKY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

our  constitution  and  condition,  sweetly  and  lovingly,, 
owned  us  as  their  brethren."  .This  is  the  only  authen- 
tic date,  so  far  as  is  known,  of  the  Baptist  church,  now 
meeting  at  Tuthill-stairs,  Newcastle. 

From  the  mention  of  the  names  of  the  above  officers, 
it  seems  a  likely  circumstance  that  the  chief  promoters 
of  the  cause  in  this  town  were  officers  in  the  army. 
This  we  know,  with  certainty,  was  the  case  at  that  time, 
with  many  of  the  towns  in  the  three  kingdoms.  This 
will  hereafter  be  seen  to  have  been  the  case  with 
the  Baptist  Churches  in  Scotland.  Major,  or  Colonel, 
Hobson  was  closely  connected  with  the  Church  at  New- 
castle. There  is  a  strong  probability,  that  this  was  the 
Mr.  Paul  Hobson,  who  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the 
Baptist  Church  at  Crutched  Friars,  London,  and  who 
is  affirmed  to  have  preached  at  Moorfields,  after  being 
released  from  prison.  A  marriage  record,  hereafter  in- 

Captaiii  Park,  to  command  the  flag  ship  under  Sir  Geo.  Ascue, 
rear  Admiral:  and  Sir  John  Harman,  to  command  the  Admiral 
flag  ship,  under  his  Royal  Highness  the  Duke  of  York.  But  not- 
withstanding this  sect  had  that  countenance  given  them,  yet,  in 
general,  as  they  published  in  apologies,  they  were  the  least 
of  any  sort  of  people — that  were  concerned  in  any  vicissitudes 
of  government  that  happened  amongst  us.  And  although  after 
1649  there  numbers  did  increase,  insomuch  that  the  principal  offi- 
cers in  different  regiments  of  horse  and  foot  became  Baptists,  par- 
ticularly in  Oliver  Cromwell's  own  regiment,  when  he  was  General 
of  all  the  Parliament's  forces,  and  in  the  Duke  of  Albemarle's,  when 
he  was  General  of  all  the  English  forces  in  Scotland;  yet,  by  the  ' 
best  information  I  could  have,  there  were  not  before  that  time,  twenty 
Baptists  in  any  sort  of  command  in  the  whole  army.  And  until 
the  year  1648,  there  were  no  more  than  two:  namely,  Mr.  Lau- 
ranee  and  Mr.  John  Fiennes,  son  of  Lord  Say,  who  made  profes- 
sion of  this  opinion,  chosen  into  the  House  of  Commons,  and  both 
of  these  did  that  year,  in  the  life-time  of  king  Charles  1st,  as  I 
have^been  credibly  informed,  voluntarily  depart  from  that  parlia- 
ment, as  not  approving  of  their  proceedings  against  the  person  of 
the  king." 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  7 

troduced,  as  connected  with  the  church  at  Hexham,  has 
for  its  first  witness,  the  signature  of  P.  Hohson. 

A  person  of  the  name  of  Thomas  Gower,  or  Goare, 
is  represented  as  the  first  minister  of  the  church  at 
Newcastle.  Of  him  we  know  nothing  previously,  un- 
less he  is  the  individual  of  the  same  name,  -  whose  sig- 
nature is  attached  to  the  Baptist  confession  of  faith,  of 
the  seven  churches  in  London,  formerly  referred  to.  "It 
is  probahle  though  no  military  title  is  ever ,  append- 
ed to  his  name,  that  he  was  in  some  way  or  other 
connected  with  the  army  stationed  at  Newcastle.  Of 
his  character,  so  far  as  "We  know  it,  we  shall  have  oc- 
casion hereafter  to  speak.  Meantime,  we  shall  turn  our 
attention  to  the  rise  of  the  church  at  Hexham. 

1651. — The'  town  of  Hexham,  so  interesting  in  the 
historic  records  of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  the  North 
of  England,  lies  ahout  twenty  miles  west  of  Newcastle, 
and  about  a  mile  below  the  confluence  of  the  North  and 
South  Tyne.  The  vale  of  Hexham  is  said  to  be  pecu- 
liarly striking  and  beautiful,  the  air  mild,  and  the  nur- 
series, gardens,  shrubberies,  and  woods,  numerous  and 
flourishing.  The  exertions  of  industry  keep  pace  with 
the  encouragement  afforded  by  nature,  and  it  is  justly 
said,  that  in  the  vale  of  Hexham,  its  harvests  are  the 
earliest,  its  trees  have  the  richest  foliage,  and  its  laud- 
scape  is  the  most  diversified  and  interesting  of  any  in 
Northumberland. 

Hexham  is  also  distinguished  for  the  antiquity  and 
beauty  of  its  Abbey,  or  Cathedral.  This  was  erected  in  , 
673,  by  St.  Wilfred,  Archbishop  of  York.  Two  other 
churches,  St.  Mary's  and  St.  Peter's,  were  erected  by 
him  about  the  same  time.  .  St.  Mary's  was  the  parish 
church,  but  its  remains  are  nearly  completely  oblitera- 
ted ;  St.  Peter's  are  entirely  so.  Tn  1130,  the  cure  of 
the  parish  returned  to  the  Abbey.  The  living  is  a  per- 
petual curacy.  A  lectureship  was  established  in  the 


8  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

church,  in  3628,  by  the  Mercers'  company  of  London, 
pursuant  to  the  will  and  bequest  of  Mr.  Richard  Fish- 
borne,  dated  March  30,  1625. 

We  have  given  these  minute  particulars  of  this  inter- 
esting town,  owing  to  the  circumstance  that  the  first 
Baptist  minister  in  it  held  the  lectureship  belonging 
to  the  Abbey;  the  duties  of  which  he  performed,  and 
the  salary  of  which  he  received.  The  messuage  and 
the  orchard,  purchased  by  Mr.  Fishborne's  legacies, 
would  likewise  be  possessed  by  him. 

The  name  of  this  individual  was  Mr.  Thomas  Tillam; 
tl  a  messenger,"  as  he  styles  himself,  "  of  one  of  the  seven 
churches  in  London."*  He  appears  to  have  been  origi- 
nally a  Catholic,  and  had  travelled  on  the  continent,  but 
afterwards  seems  to  have  been  converted  to  the  Protest- 
ant faith,  and  to  have  united  himself  with  the  Baptists. 
He  was  selected  by  the  church  to  which  he  belong- 
ed, to  be  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  as  he  gives  him- 
self the  designation  of  "  minister."  The  nature  of  his 
work  may  be  known  from  what  is  said  of  another 
individual,  who  lived  at  the  same  period  in  Ireland, 
namely,  Mr.  Thomas  Patient.  Of  him,  it  is  affirmed, 
that  he  had,  by  the  Baptist  church  in  Dublin,  "been 
appointed  an  Evangelist,  to  preach  up  and  down  in  the 
country."  Such  appears  to  have  been  the  work  of 
Mr.  Tillam. 

*  The  places  where  these  seven  churches  met  are  not  specified. 
The  following  is  the  nearest  approximation  the  writer  can  make, 
selected  from  references  to  the  London  churches  at  that  time,  by 
Crosby  and  Ivimey,  namely, — Wapping,  formed  1633  ;  Mr.  Spils- 
bury :  Crutched  Friars,  1639 ;  Messrs.  Green,  Paul  Hobson  and 
Captain  Spencer :  Fleet-street,  1641;  Mr.  Praise- God  Barbone: 
Spittle,  Bishopgate-street ;  Mr.  Edward  Barter :  Coleman-street} 
1 645 ;  Mr.  Lamb :  Great  St.  Helen's,  1645 ;  Mr.  H.  Knollys :  South- 
wart,  Deadman's  Lane,  1621 ;  Mr.  Howe,  John  Canne:  French, 
church,  Dennis-le-Berbice; 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  9 

We  are  not  informed  to  what  church  Mr.  Tillam  ori- 
ginally belonged,  or  by  what  church  he  was  first  appointed 
to  ministerial  labour ;  but  when  he  came  to  Hexham,  he 
was  married,  and  Mrs.  Tillam  is  said  to  have  been  a 
member  of  the  church  in  Cheshire,  probably  Hill  Cliffe, 
as  afterwards  noticed ;  and  we  find  also,  that  Mr.  Til- 
lam soon  after  he  came  to  Hexham,  went  to  Cheshire  to 
itinerate  for  a  short  time.  From  these  considerations, 
it  seems  probable  that  Mrs.  Tillam  was  a  native  of  Che- 
shire, and  that  he  himself  had,  before  his  coming  to 
Hexham,  been  a  resident  in  that  county,  and  had 
preached  the  gospel  there. 

It  was  the  church  in  Coleman-street,  London,  then 
under  the  care  of  Messrs.  Hanserd  Knollys,  John  Perry, 
and  "William  Howard,  that  sent  Mr.  Tillam,  as  their 
Messenger,  to  Hexham.  This  they  were  induced  to  do, 
in  consequence  of  the  appointment  of  a  Parliamentary 
Commission,  in  order  to  the  propagation  of  the  gospel  in 
the  four  northern  counties.  "Who  these  commissioners 
were,  we  are  not  told,  but  Mr.  Yavasor  Powell,  a  Bap- 
tist minister,  was  commissioned  along  with  others,  by 
parliament,  to  make  inquiries  respecting  the  state  of  re- 
ligion in  Wales.  The  effects  of  this  "Welsh  Commission 
proving  beneficial,  similar  commissions  were  appointed 
for  other  parts  of  the  kingdom,  where  religious  destitu- 
tion was  particularly  felt.  An  application  appears  to 
have  been  made  on  behalf  of  the  north,  and  as  there  was 
an  endowed  lectureship  at  Hexham,  adapted  to  the  sup- 
port of  a  minister,  the  Commission  resolved  to  send  one 
thither.  The  endowment,  as  already  stated,  was  in  the 
gift  of  the  Mercers'  company  of  London ;  and,  as  it  is  not 
improbable,  that  some  both  of  the  Commissioners  and 
of  the  Mercers'  company  were  Baptists,  so,  Mr.  Tillam, 
as  the  Messenger  of  the  church  in  London  to  which  he 
belonged,  was  sent,  on  the  important  errand,  of  attempt- 


10  HISTOBY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

-i 

ing  to  enlighten  a  part  of  the  North  of  England,  in  the 
knowledge  of  the  principles  of  the  New  Testament. 

The  state  of  religion  in  the  North  at  this  time,  and 
especially  in  the  neighhourhood  of  Hexham,  may  he  un- 
derstood from  the  following  petition  sent  to  parliament, 
by  Mr.  George  Lilburne,  Mayor  of  Sunderland. — "  To 
all  Christian  people,  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come, 
know  that  we  are  a  people  in  that  our  parish  of  Mugles- 
wicke  who  have  been  destitute  of  a  preaching  minister ; 
yea,  ever  since  any  of  us,  that  now  are  breathing,  were 
borne,  to  our  souls  griefe  and  dreadful  hazard  of  destruc- 
tion :  neither  is  it  our  case  alone,  but  also  ten  or  twelve 
parishes  all  adjoining,  are,  in  like  manner,  void  of  the 
means  of  salvation."    They  then  refer  to  the  death  of 
their  minister,  in  1640,  and  their  earnestly  beseeching 
the  prebends  of  Durham  that  they  might,  once  more, 
have  the  "  fruition  of  a  faithful  minister."    Being  told 
that  one  John  Duery  would  be  their  minister,  they  af- 
firm, when  we  heard  this  "  We  besought,  with  all  olir 
souls,  to  be  exempted  of  that  Duery,  because  we  knew 
him  to  be  no  preacher,  and  his  life  and  conversation 
scandalous." — "  Seeing  us  unwilling  to  accept  of  him,  he 
gave  over."    The  place  then  became  vacant  for  twelve 
months,  and  they  found  a  minister  for  themselves ;  sup- 
posed to  be  Mr.  "William  Boyce,  a  Presbyterian.    "And 
no  sooner,"  they  continue,  "  found  we  one  to  whom  our 
miuds  affected,  but  immediately  those  prebends  doe  im- 
pose one  Braidley  upon  us,  a  bird  brought  out  of  the 
nest  of  their  own  bosomes,  who  (we  may  say,  without 
sinne,)  is  one  of  the  most  deboist  among  the  sonnes  of 
men,  for  he  will  neither  preach  himself  nor  permit 
others."    They  then  go  on  to  say,  that  "he  locked  the 
church  door,  so,  that  on  the  Sabbath,  their  minister  had 
to  preach  to  them  in  the  cold  frost  and  snow."    "  At 
other  times,"  say  they,  "  before  he  comes  into  the  church, 
whilst  our  minister  was  in  his  exhortation,  and  stood  up 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  *    It  - 

beside  him,  reading  "with  a  loud  voyce  in  a  book  to  over- 
top the  sound  of  his  words:  afterwards  pulled  him  by 
the  cpate,  wlien  hee  was  in  the  pulpit :  but  when  neither 
of  these  would  cause  him  to  desist  from  duty,  he  goes 
and  rings  the  bels  all  aloud :  neither  is  this  all,  but  out 
of  malice  cals  a  communion  and  enters  upon,  the  sa- 
cred action,  without  any  preparation  sermon,  before 

the  day." 

Hexham,  in  all  probability,  was  one  of  the  ten  or 
twelve  adjoining  parishes  referred  to,  in  the  ab'ove  peti- 
tion, that  were  void  of  the  means  of  salvation.    This  ap- 
pears to  be  the  case,  from  what  is  said  in  the  letter  from 
the  Baptist  church  in  that  town  to  the  church  in  Coleman- 
street,  London.    Referring  to  the  coming  of  Mr.  Tillam 
among  them,  and  the  effects  produced  by  it,  they  say, 
"And  now  was  the  time  determined  by  the  Father  for  the 
revealing  of  his  will  to  us  poor  creatures ;  and  the  dawn- 
ings  of  the  glory  of  the  Lord  arose  upon  us ;  even  upon  us 
did  light  brake,  who  were  a  people  sitting  under  gross 
darkness,  even  under  the  shadow  of  death."    It  was  on 
the  27th  December,  1651,  that  Mr.  Tillam  took  up  his 
abode  at  Hexham,  and  such  was  the  effect  of  his  coming, 
that  in  seven  months  a  church  was  formed,  consisting  of 
sixteen  members.     This  took  place  on  the  21st  July, 
1652,  and  on  the  25th  of  the  same  month,  they,  to  use 
Mr.  Tillam's  own  words,  "Joyfully  celebrated  the  Lord's 
Supper,  John  Thirlwell  being  desired  (for  proofe)  to  sup- 
ply the  place  of  deacon,  and  the  church  began  a  stock, 
putting  it  into  his  hands."* 

•  The  following  is  Mr.  Tillam's  first  entry:— 

In  the  name  of  the  Lord  Christ, 

I  came  to  Hexham  the  27th  day  of  ye  10  month  1651  and  so 
wonderfully  hath  God  appeared,  in  this  dark  corner,  that  upon  the 
2lst  day  of  the  fifth  month  (that  is  the  seventh  month  following) 
after  serious  consideration,  and  some  gospel  preparation,  a  living 
temple  began  of  these  living  stones. 


12      *       HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

The  church  of  Christ 

Hexham 

Thomas  Tillam,  Minister  and  Messenger  of  one  of  the  seven 
churches  in  London,  did  administer  the  holy  ordinance  of  Baptisme 
in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

Under  4th  principle  (Heb.  vi.  2.  laying  on  of  hands) 
5  m.  21st  John  Thirlwell    1         Susanna  Thirwell    1 
Richard  Orde      2         Marye  Carre  2 

&c.  &c.  down  to  11  &c.  &c.  down  to  5 
These  solemnly  giving  up  themselves  to  the  Lord  and  one  an- 
other, to  walke  in  communion  together,  with  submission  to  all  the 
ordinances  of  the  gospel,  I,  Thos.  Tillam,  espoused  to  one  husband, 
hoping  I  shall  present  them  as  a  chaste  virgin  to  Christ,  with  all, 
that  in  sincerity  of  heart,  have,  through  the  mighty  power  of  God, 
or,  shall  be,  joyned  to  them. 


IN  THE  NOBTH/OF  ENGLAND.  '  .13 


CHAPTER  n. 

Broughton.— Independent  Church  at  Cockermouth  .—Messrs.  Thos. 
and  George  Larkhams. — Mr.  Wilkinson.— Newcastle. — Hex- 
ham.— Letters  to  and  from  Coleman-street.— Hanserd  Knollys. 

Feuds    begun.— Cheshire    Revivals — Henry  Ar^gus.— The 

False  Jew. 

1652. — The  first  movement  towards  the  formation  of 
a  church  at  Broughton  has  been  already  alluded  to. 
"Who  the  officer  in  Cromwell's  army  was  who  made 
that  movement,  we  know  not,  nor  yet  when  he  left,  iior 
what  was  the  full  result  of  his  labours.  It  is  probable, 
however,  that  he  was  useful  to  a  few  of  ihe  people  in 
the  neighbourhood,  who  might  form  a  nucleus  for  others 
to  gather  around,  when  a  more  permanent  teacher  could 
be  procured.  He  laboured,  however,  and  "others  entered 
into  his  labours."  • 

The  only  authentic  information  that  we  have,  of  the 
state  of  religion  in  this  quarter,  is  from  the  archives  of 
the  Independent  church,  at  Cockermouth.   The  following 
is  the  account  given  of  the  formation  of  that  church : — 
"The. foundation  of  this  particular  church  was  laid  in 
the  town  of  Cockermouth,  the  day  and  year  mentioned 
in  the  margent  (October  2,  1651,)  through  the  instiga- 
tion of  Mr.  Thomas  Larkham,  pastor  of  the  church  of 
Christ,  at  Tavistock,-  Devon,  a  blessed  instrument  in 
promoting  and  furthering  so  good  a  worke.    The  foun- 
dation stones  (i.  e.  the  first  stones  of  this  house  of  God  ; 
1  Timothy  iii.  15,)  were  these  seven  poor  unworthy  ones, 
George  Larkham,  George  Benson,  Roger  Fieldhouse, 
Thomas  Blethwaite,  John  "Woods,  Richard  Bowes,  and 
Thomas  Jackson.    These  seven,  after  solemn  invocation 

B 


14  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

of  God,  and  mutual  satisfaction  in  each  other,  agreed  in 
the  ensuing  humble  confession  and  engagement."  Here 
follows  a  long  confession,  &c.,  of  which  the  following  is 
a  part, — "  Further,  we  do  owne  these  practices  of  bap- 
tizing the  children  of  covenant  believers,  and  of  singing 
of  Psalms,  though  we  do  not  judge  that  those  that  are 
dark  as  to  these  practices,  are  therefore  to  be  excluded 
from  our  communion." 

Mr.  Thomas  Larkham,  of  Tavistock,  was  father  of 
Mr.  George  Larkham,  of  Cockermouth,  both  ministers 
of  the  state  church,  in  the  time  of  the  Commonwealth, 
and  both  eminently  pious,  zealous,  and  useful  men.  As 
it  appears  to  have  been  common  at  that  time,  as  evinced 
in  the  case  of  Mr.  Tillam,  at  Hexham,  for  those  who  held 
Congregational  or  Independent  principles,  to  form  a  dis- 
tinct church  of  those  in  their  congregations  that  appeared 
to  be  true  belivers,  so  it  is  probable  the  elder  Mr.  Lark- 
ham  had  acted  on  this  principle,  and  had  induced  his 
highly  promising  son,  now  in  the  twenty-third  year  of 
his  age,  when  he  settled  at  Cockermouth,  to  do  the  same. 

The  seven  persons  above  named  were  not  Baptists, 
but  quite  disposed  to  act  on  the  open  communion  princi- 
ple. This  circumstance  leads  us  to  suppose  that  there 
were  persons  in  their  own  neighbourhood  that  held 
Baptist  sentiments,  and  who,  in  their  esteem,  were  not 
unlikely  to  join  their  communion.  One  or  two  other 
entries  in  the  church  book  at  Cockermouth,  may  throw 
some  further  light  on  this  point. 

From  -October,  1651,  to  January,  1652,  the  church 
had  become  so  numerous  that  they  thought  of  dividing, 
and  having  a  branch  on  each  side  of  the  Derwent — one 
at  Cockermouth,  and  one  at  Broughton;  hence  the  fol- 
lowing entry, — "The  28th  Jan.  The  church  thinking 
of  branching  (or  rather  swarming)  forth  into  two  congre- 
gations, one  on  the  one  side  of  Derwent,  and  the  other  on 
the  other  side."  c:  They  thought  it  meet  to  make  choice 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  35 

of  another  deacon.    John  Bowman,  of  Broughton,  was 
unanimously  chosen." 

It  is  evident  from  the  following  entry,  that  Baptist 
principles  had  been  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  had  by 
the  middle  of  the  year  1652,  been  embraced  by  a  consi- 
derable number  of  the  members  of  the  congregation  at 
Broughton.  "The  16th  July,  in  the  year  1652,  there 
was  a  solemn  meeting  of  both  churches,  viz.,  this  of 
Cockermouth,  and  another,  called  the  church 'of  Brough- 
ton, in  the  public  meeting  place,  at  Brigham,  when  they 
jointly,  humbly,  besought  the  Lord  to  unite  their  spirits 
in  love,  they  differing  in  judgment  in  the  point  of  Pcedo- 
baptism:  which  church  (Broughton)  began  to  be  general- 
ly shaken,  most  of  them  inclining  to  Quakerism!  as  by 
their  long  letter,  1654,  to  us  (Cockermouth)  kept  among 
other  letters  by  us,  may  and  doth  appear." 

.From  this  time,  for  about  two  years,  religious  conten- 
tion appears  to  have  extended  its  baleful  influence  in 
the  country  generally,  and  had  made  great  havock  in 
the  church  at  Broughton.  This  is  clear  from  another 
entry,  May,  1654.  "  The  16th  of  the  fourth  month,  1654, 
that  deluge  of  errors  that  had  overflown  the  country, 
and  had  quite  shattered  to  pieces  the  other  congrega- 
tion about  Broughton,  only  some  few  of  the  people  have 
come  to  land !  and  kept  together  in  communion ! !  John 
Wilkinson,  the  Pastor  of  that  Church,  departed  with 
most  of  the  people,  to  the  Quakers,  to  his  great  shame 
and  infamy.  The  Lord  at  last  convinced  him  of  his 
sin.  Amen.  Amen.  Amen." 

From  the  whole  of  the  above  entries  we  seem  war- 
ranted to  draw  the  following  conclusions  respecting  the 
church  at  Broughton.  1.  That  the  Baptists  in  the 
neighbourhood  had  either  joined  the  church,  at  Cocker- 
mouth  before  its  division  into  two  congregations,  or  had, 
after  the  division,  joined  the  church  at  Broughton,  as  in 
less  than  half  a  year,  Baptist  principles  had  chiefly  pre- 

B  2 


16  ,  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

vailed  among  the  Broughton  people.  2.  A  Mr.  John 
"Wilkinson  had  become  the  pastor  at  Broughton.  He 
was  probably  by  this  time  a  Baptist.  Having,  for  a 
time,  become  a  Quaker,  we  find  the  following  reference 
to  him  taken  from  the  preface  to  Backas's  works,  by  W. 
Penn :  "  John  Wilkinson,  of  Cockermouth,  formerly  a 
very  zealous  and  able  independent  minister."  He 
may  be  regarded  as  the  first  minister  of  the  church  at 
Broughton,  after  the  officer  alluded  to.  3.  The  church, 
for  two  or  three  years,  had  got  into  a  very  unsettled 
condition,  the  greater  portion  leaving  with  their  pastor 
and  going  to  Quakerism.  4.  They,  at  length,  arrived  at 
a  more  healthy  state,  under  the  same  pastor,  on  his 
penitence  and  return.  But  we  must  now  again  proceed 
across  the  island  from  the  western  to  the  eastern  coast. 

There  are  no  distinct  records  of  the  church  at  New- 
castle at  this  period.  The  only  information  that  we 
have,  of  its  character  and  transactions,  is  to  be  found  in 
the  details  of  the  early  history  of  the  church  of  Hexham. 
Both  churches,  at  that  time,  came  into  disagreeable  col- 
lision, owing  to  certain  differences  subsisting  between 
their  respective  pastors.  These  differences  will  here- 
after be  noticed,  and,  in  the  meantime,  we  shall  advert  to 
the  progress  of  the  cause  at  Hexham,  under  the  zealous 
guidance  of  its  first  minister. 

During  the  remainder  of  year,  1652,  eighteen  persons 
more  were  added,  by  Mr.  Tillam,  to  the  church,  the 
total  number  of  which,  at  the  termination  of  the  year, 
was  thirty-six.  Several  individuals,  belonging  to  cer- 
tain London  churches,  are  said  to  have  had  communion 
with  the  Hexham  brethren  during  the  year,  among 
whom  we  find  the  name  of  "  Brother  Holmes,  minister 
of  Bywell,  and  a  member  of  a  church  in  London/' 

On  the  fourth  of  December  this  year,  the  church  at 
Hexham  wrote  a  letter  of  grateful  acknowledgement  to 
the  church  in  Coleman-street,  London,  for  having  sent 


IN  THE   NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  17 

Mr.  Tillam  among  them.    It  is  written  in  the  style  of 
the  apostolic  age.    We  shall  give  a  short  extract : 

"  To  the  church  of  Christ  walking  in  communion,  with  . 
the  Reverend  and  Dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord,  Mr.  Han- 
serd  Knollys,  in  London.* 

"  Grace  be  into  you,  and  peace  from  God  and  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ. 

"Beloved  of  God,  as  it  is  just  cause  of -holy  rejoicing 
before  the  Lord,  when  saints  heare  that  Sion  prospers, 
and  that  many  are  made  partakers  of  the  likei  pretious 
faith  with  themselves,  so  wee  know  and  are  persuaded 
in  the  Lord  that  it  will  be  the  ioy  of  your  spirits,  when, 
by  these  or  letters,  you  shall  understand  yt  the  word  of 
the  Lord  wch  sounded  out  from  you  is  come  unto  us,  not 
in  word  only,  but  in  power,  wherein  through  riches  of , 
grace  we  stand,  and  rejoyce  under  it  wt  joy  unspeakable 
and  full  of  glory :   For  this  cause  therefore  wee  are 
bound  to  thanke  God  always  on  yr  behalf  as  it  is  meet : 
for  your  debtors  verily  wee  are,  for  wtsoever  appearances 
of  God  are  risen  uppon  us^  since  y*  yr  faithful  messen- 
ger, and  now  our  dearly  beloved  brother,  in  the  Lord, 
Mr.  Thomas  Tillam,  (whom  wee  love  in  ye  truth,  and 
very  highly  esteem  for  his  work  sake,)  has  been  emi- 
nently instrumental  in  carrying  on  the  Lord's  worke 
amongst  us :  but  that  yr  hearts  may  ye  more  affectionately 

*  This  church  is  said  to  have  met  in  Coleman-street,  under  the 
care  of  Mr.  Hanserd  Knollys,  &c.,  and  which  probably  intimates 
that  the  place  of  meeting  was  towards  the  front  of  the  Street,  as  there 
was  another  church  in  Coleman-street,  in  Swan's-alley,  under  the 
care  of  Mr.  Henry  Jessey.  The  writer  supposed  in  the  first  in- 
stance they  were  one  church,  but  is  now  persuaded  they  were 
two.  1.  Because  the  signatures  of  the  elders  are  always  different. 
2.  The  one  church  is  always  addressed  as  "  in  Coleman-street," 
and  the  ofcer  "in  Swan's-alley,  Coleman-street."  3.  A  declaration 
of  the  churches  in  London,  at  this  period,  has  the  church  under  Mr. 
Hanserd  Knollys  distinct  form  that  under  Mr.  Henry  Jessey. 

B  3 


18  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

be  drawne  out  to  admire  ye  riches  of  the  father's  love  to 
usward,  wee  desire  to  show  of  orselves  wh*  manner  of 
entering  your  gospel  had  in  unto  us  and  ye  blessed 
success  wherewith  it  hath  been  accompanied  from  ye 
first  day  untill  now.  This  is  ye  12  month  since  provi- 
dence first  directed  Mr.  Thomas  Tillam  into  these  pts, 
where,  by  the  encouragement  of  the  commissioners,  au- 
thorised by  prlamt,  for  propagating  ye  gospel  in  ye  4 
northern  counties,  and  by  the  importunity  (especially  of 
some  of  them)  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  open  a  doore, 
effectual,  for  his  preaching  ye  lecture  established  heare 
at  Hexham,  by  the  honkle  society  of  Mercers  in  London. 

— and  the  Lord  being  pleased  to  be  found  of 

them  y*  scarcely  asked  after  him  and  in  yt  place  where 
it  was  said,  these  are  not  a  people,  are  wee  (through 
grace,  wherein  wee  stand)  become  the  people  of  God." 

They  then  state  their  sufferings  from  Atheists 

and  Papists,  of  whom,  many,  they  affirm,  "  swarm"  ia 
these  parts,  but  "  their  sorest  and  chiefest  trial"  they 
say,  "  sprang  from  those  in  the  ministry,  probably  the 
Presbyterian  ministers  in  the  Church,  one  of  whom  had 
in  the  parish  house  preached  against  believers'  bap- 
tism." "  Though  cast  down,"  they  farther  state,  "  they 
are  not  destroyed,"  and  wish  the  church  in  London  to 
"reach  unto  them  the  right  hand  of  fellowship." 

On  the  20th  December,  1652,  Mr.  John  Thirlwell  al- 
ready mentioned  as  under  "proofe,"  or  trial,  for  the  dea- 
conate  was  duly  elected  as  deacon,  and  a  young  person, 
named  Edward  or  Edmund  Hickhorngill,  was  ordained 
as  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  or  evangelist,  and  appointed 
the  messenger  of  the  church  at  Hexham,  to  visit  their 
Christian  brethren,  holding  Baptist  principles  in  Scot- 
land. We  shall  presently  have  occasion  to  advert  to 
this  individual,  and  to  the  state  of  the  Baptist  cause  in 
the  northern  part  of  the  island. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  19 

;  1653. — On  the  ninth  day  of  the  eleventh  month,  1652, 
according  to  the  reckoning  at  that  time,  but  according  to 
more  modern  calculation,  the  9th  January,  1653,  the  . 
church  in  London  sent  a  reply  to  the  letter,  sent  by 
the  church  at  Hexham.  In  this  epistle,  they  express 
their  gratitude  for  their  faith  and  love  by  the  preaching 
of  the  gospel,  sounded  from  themselves,  by  "that  mes- 
senger of  the  Lord,  and  dearly  beloved  brother,  Mr. 
Thomas  Tillam,  sent  unto  them." 

"  Now  therefore,"  they  say, "  beloved  brethrpn,  we,  the 
elders  and  brethren,  with  the  whole  of  the  church,  be- 
ing assembled  with  one  accord,  doe  owne  you  in  the 
Lord  to  be  a  visible  constituted  church  of  God,  who  are 
made  partakers  with  us,  in  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  bap- 
tism, and  heareupon  we  doe  give  unto  you  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship,  in  token  of  our  communion  with  you 
in  the  faith  and  order  of  the  gospel,  &c."  This  letter  is 
signed  Hanserd  Knollys,*  John  Perry,  John  Buttinant, 
"Wm.  Spier,  Henry  Parkpointe,  Wm.  Jennings,  Theo- 
dore Jennings,  Benedict  Hunt,  "Will.  Howard,  John 
Amiger. 

In  the  beginning  of  March,  the  church  at  Hexham 
wrote  to  the  church  in  London,  soliciting  them  to  allow 
Mr.  Tillam,  to  whom  they  refer  in  the  most  affectionate 
terms,  to  become  their  pastor.  They  say,  "  although  as 
a  general  officer  he  hath  laboured  amidst  us,  yet  our 
hearts'  desires  are  for  a  nearer  interest  in  him,  if  by  the 
will  of  God,  this  grace  may  be  ministered  unto  us,  by 
you."  Every  church,  it  would  appear,  at  that  period, 
seems  to  have  claimed  a  special  right  in  its  members 

*  Mr.  Hanserd  Knollys  was  born  in  1598 :  he  was  originally  a 
minister  of  the  establishment,  but  became  a  Baptist  in  1636.  He 
was  forced  to  flee  at  different  times  to  Europe  and  America.  He 
supported  himself  by  teaching ;  lived  to  a  great  age  in  very 
troublesome  times  ;  died  full  of  joy,  in  1691,  aged  93,  and  was 
buried  in  Bunhill  Fields,  London. 


20  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUECHES 

and  the  ministers  it  ordained,  so  that  none  of  these, 
without  their  sanction,  could  unite  with  any  other  church, 
either  as  members,  ministers,  or  pastors.  When  a  pas- 
tor then  was  wanted  by  "any  church,  application  was 
made,  not  to  the  minister  himself,  but  to  the  church  with 
whom  he  was  connected,  and  if  he  did  anything  with- 
out their  concurrence,  he  was  either  suspended,  or  dis- 
owned. 

To  the  above  request,  the  church  in  Coleman-streefc 
replied, — "  We  have  taken  into  consideration  your  de- 
sire in  reference  to  Mr.  Tillam,  as  the  Lord  shall  direct 
us.    When  our  brother  went  out  from  us,  we  judged, 
from  the  little  knowledge  we  had  of  him,  that  the  Lord 
had  enriched  him  with  some  spiritual  gifts,  &c.,  and 
thereupon  we  give  him  our  letter  of  recommendation, 
and  sent  him  forth  to  preach  the  gospel  and  to  baptize 
them  that  believe,  and  to  set  them  in  an  orderly  way  ; 
but  as  to  our  approbation,  that  he  should  be  given  up  to 
you  as  your  pastor,  or  elder,  it  more  concerns  you  than 
us,  you  having  more  knowledge,  &c.,  of  his  qualifica- 
tions, whether  these  answer  those  scriptures,  1  Tim.  iii. 
2,  3,  &c.,  Titus  i.  6,. 7,  &c.    If  the  Lord  shall  make  the 
way  clear,  we  hope  we  shall  be  one  with  you.    We  de^ 
sire  that  we  may  hear  thereof  from  you  and  Mm,  espe- 
pecially  when  our  Brother  Tillam  hath  given  us  an 
answer  to  our  letter,  concerning  our  judgment  of  the 
charges  of  our  brethren  of  Newcastle  against  him,  and 
his  anvswers  thereto,  &c. — W.   Howard,  Jo.  Perry." 
Circumstances,  however,  so  transpired  that  Mr.  Tillam 
never  became  pastor.*  x 

The  good  cause  still  however  continued  to  advance  in 
this  place.  On  the  19th  March,  three  females  were 

•  Thus,  so  early  as  the  1st  of  March,  1653,  did  the  feuds  begin 
between  Mr.  Goare  and  Mr.  Tillam,  and  went  on  increasing,  till 
1655,  when  Mr.  Tillam  appears  to  have  withdrawn  from  the 
church. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  21. 

baptized.  One  Chas.  Bond,  a  member  of  Dr.  Chamber- 
lain's church,  London,  was  admitted  to  communion,  on 
the  3rd  of  April ;  and  on  the  same  day,  a  member, 
named  John  Hudspeth,  was  excluded;  and  Mr.  Tillam 
also,  at  this  time,  was  solemnly  commended  to  the  grace 
of  God,  (like  Paul,  when  he  left  Antioch,)  in  proceeding 
to  Cheshire,  on  a  missionary  or  evangelistical  tour.  It 
is  called  "the  worke  in  Cheshire;"  and  it  is  said  that 
"the  church  sent  their  deacon  with  their  minister,  ('like 
John,  surnamed  Mark,  with  Paul/)  in  much  love,  by 
which  many  were  added  to  the  church  in  Cheshire." 
"When  this  church  was  formed  in  this  county,  we  are  not 
told ;  but  from  its  being  called  the  church  in  Cheshire, 
we  may  conclude  that  it  was  the  only  church  in  the 
whole  county  at  that  time.* 

On  the  return  of  Mr.  Tillam  and  the  deacon  from  their 
mission,  it  said  that  "it  caused  greate  joy  to  the  church 
of  Hexham."  Another  of  the  members,  Mr.  Stephen 
Anderton,  at  this  time  was  set  apart  to  the  ministry, 
and  he,  with  Mr.  Tillam,  appears  to  have  been  very 
useful  to  many  persons  in  the  neighbourhood.  "  Many 
pretious  souls,"  they  say,  "fly  as  a  cloud  and  as  doves 
to  their  windows." 

On  the  14th  May,  this  same  year,  1653,  nine  persons 
were  baptized  and  added  to  the  church.  Among  these 
we  find  the  names  of  Henry  and  Mary  Angus.  Mention 
is  made  of  these  particularly,  as  being  the  ancestors  of 
the  numerous  family  of  the  name  of  Angus,  in  the  North 
of  England,  and  elsewhere ;  many  of  whom,  as  will  ap- 
pear in  the  sequel,  have  been  very  useful  as  connected 
with  the  cause  of  Christ.  "We  mean  no  foolish  flattery 
to  any  of  them.  Some  of  them  have  not  turned  out  well, 

*  This  was  probably  the  ancient  church  at  Hill  Cliffe,  in  this 
county,  near  to  Warrington,  Lancashire,  and  was  likely,  from 
this,  sometimes  called  the  church  at  Warrington.  Of  this  church 
Mr.  Looe  was  pastor  in  1689.— See  Chap.  IV. 


22  .  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

but,  says  God  himself,  "honour  to  whom  honour  is  due'." 
Mr.  Henry  Angus  is  said  to  have  lived  at  the  Raw 
House,  the  name  of  a  farm  house  about  six  miles  south- 
east of  Hexharn,  and  lying  between  Broomhaugh  and 
Broomley,  where  there  are  now,  (1845,)  two  Baptist 
Chapels,  chiefly  erected  by  the  descendants  of  Mr.  An- 
gus, and  where  the  successors  of  the  Baptist  church  at 
Hexham,  assemble  to  worship  the  same  God,  and  at- 
tend to  the  same  ordinances  as  did  their  ancestors. 

Mr.  Angus  is  said  to  have  been  descended  from  a 
family  that  had  fled  from  Scotland  at  the  period  of  the 
Reformation.  That  great  event,  as  in  other  places,  was 
keenly  opposed  in  that  country.  The  name  of  Beaton, 
owing  to  this,  is,  in  Scottish  church  history,  doomed  to 
immortal  infamy.  James  Beaton,  Arcbishop  of  Saint 
Andrew's,  on  February  28,  1528,  brought  to  the  stake, 
the  youthful,  learned,  pious,  and  high-bred  Patrick  Ha- 
milton: and  his  nephew  and  successor,  Cardinal  David 
Beaton,  not  only  succeeded  in  bringing  the  zealous, 
amiable,  and  truly  excellent  George  Wishart,  the  in- 
strument of  the  conversion  of  John  Knox,  to  the  stake, 
2nd  March,  1546,  but  actually  from  the  windows  of  his 
castle  feasted  his  eyes,  by  beholding  his  mortal  agonies, 
and  his  ears,  by  listening  to  his  dying  groans.* 

It  was  about  this  time,  we  are  told  by  tradition, 
that  the  grandfather,  or  rather  the  great  grandfather,  of 

*  The  persecution  of  the  Cardinal  began  in  1543,  at  Perth,  when 
five  men  and  one  female  suffered  death,  because  they  would  not  pray 
to  the  virgin  Mary.  The  latter,  after  having  being  newly  delivered 
of  a  child,  exhorted  her  husband  to  die  like  a  Christian.  After  this, 
the  Cardinal  pursued  his  bloody  employment  through  the  counties 
of  Angus,  Mearns,  and  other  places,  till  about  three  months  after, 
on  the  29th  May,  1546,  he  himself  was  assassinated  by  the  Lesleys 
and  others,  to  revenge  the  death  of  Wishart.  His  body  was  exhi- 
bited by  them  to  the  populace  of  St.  Andrew's,  from  the  very  win- 
dow whence  he  had,  with  pleasure,  surveyed  the  fiery  tortures  of 
Wishart. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  23 

» 

Mr.  Henry  Angus,  left  his  native  land  and  directed  his 
steps  to  Northumberland,  to  obtain  that  shelter  from 
persecution,  in  a  foreign  country,  that  he  could  not  find 
in  his  own.  This  would  be  somewhere  about  a  century 
before  his  great  grandson  Henry  became  a  Baptist 
and,  consequently,  he  himself  must  have  been  but  a  very 
young  man  at  that  time.  From  what  part  of  Scotland 
he  came,  there  is  no  accurate  information.  Tradition 
says,  it  was  that  county  north  of  the  Tay,  that  bore 
the  name  of  Angus  formerly,  and  now  goes  by  the /name 
of  Forfar.  This  may,  or  may  not,  have  been  the  case. 
So  far,  however,  as  the  writer  knows,  there  is  no  clan 
of  Angus ;  and  the  name  is  a  common  one  both  in  the 
north  and  the  south  of  the  island.  In  Scotland,  it  is 
frequently  found  as  (what  is  called). a  Christian  name.* 
A  very  singular  incident  occurred  in  the  church  at 
Hexham,  at  this  time.  It  is  noted  in  the  following 
terms,  in  the  church  book : — "  The  4th  m.  4th  day,  1653, 
a  child  of  the  divell  came  from  Rome  to  mine  this 
church,  and  with  great  subtilty  made  a  most  glorious 

*  The  following  appears  to  be  the  most  likely  descent  of  this 
family,  so  far  as  it  can  be  traced.  Mr.  Henry  Angus,  above  men- 
tion, had  two  brothers,  William  and  George,  both  skinners,  and 
freemen  of  the  town  of  Newcastle.  Their  father's  name  was 
George,  who  lived  at  the  Raw  House  likewise.  The  father  of 
George  is  supposed  to  be  Alexander  Angus,  as  there  was  an  ancient 
record  in  the  family  of  an  Alexander  Angus  being  married  to 
a  Miss  Taylor.  The  father  of  Alexander  was  probably  Richard 
Angus,  farmer,  at  Dilston,  whose  will  has  been  lately  found  at 
Durham,  dated  1603.  Supposing  this  person  80  years  of  age  at 
this  date,  he  would  at  the  period  of  the  Cardinal's  death,  in  1546, 
be  in  his  23rd  year.  It  is  probable  then  that  he  may  have  been  the 
patriarch  of  the  family.  If  so,  Alexander  may  h  ave  been  born  about 
1560,  George  about  1590,  and  Henry  probably  between  1620  and 
1630,  as  his  brother  William  became  a  freeman  of  Newcastle,  in 
1652.  He  was  probably -merging  on  his  30th  year  when  baptized, 
and  supposing  him  to  have  lived  till  his  70th  year,  he  would  die 


24  HISTOET  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

confession  of  Christ,*  pretending  that  he  had  been  a 
Jew,  and  that  his  name  was  Joseph  Ben  Israel.  After 
his  declaration  in  the  parish  house,  he  was  baptized,  but 
the  Holy  One  of  Israel,  or  gratious  pro tectr,  brought  the 
hellish  imposture  to  light  before  he  had  any  church  com- 
munion. Ever  blessed  be  his  glorious  name,  for  this 
greate  deliverance ! " 

Nothing  more  of  this  remarkable  circumstance  was 
known,  till  a  small  pamphlet,  published  at  the  time, 
was  met  with  a  few  years  ago,  by  the  writer.  It  is  en- 
titled "  A  false  Jew,  or  a  wonderful  discovery  of  a  Scot 
baptized  at  London  for  a  Christian,  circumcised  at  Rome 
to  act  as  a  Jew,  rebaptized  at  Hexham  as  a  Believer, 
but  found  out  at  Newcastle  to  be  a  Cheat."  The  work 
is  referred  to  at  different  times,  by  Palmer,  in  his  His- 
tory of  Nonconformity.  It  is  said  by  him  to  be  the  joint 

about  1690,  ten  years  after  the  birth  of  Ms  grandson  Jonathan, 
afterwards  of  Panshields.  His  brother  William  had  no  issue. 
His  brother  George  had  two  sons,  Thomas  and  John,  both  of  Sty- 
ford.  He  himself  had  three  sons  and  one  daughter,  whose  issue 
we  shall  have  occasion  to  refer  to  hereafter. 

Some  have  supposed  this  family  connected  with  the  Earls  of 
Angus,  but  there  is  nothing,  either  historical  or  traditional,  to  con- 
firm this  idea.  The  honour  of  the  family  is  not  that  of  being  sprung 
from  either  noble  or  royal  blood,  but  from  Christian  confessors  or 
martyrs.  They  can  therefore  say,  with  Cowper, — 

"  My  boast  is,  not  that  I  deduce  my  birth, 
From  loins  enthron'd,  or  rulers  of  the  earth; 
But  higher  far,  my  proud  pretensions  rise, 
The  son  of  parents  pass'd  into  the  skies." 

*  The  confession  is  long ;  we  can,  therefore,  only  give  a  brief 
account  of  it,  and  some  short  extracts. 

"  Men,  brethren,  and  fathers, — my  purpose  is  to  declare  onto 
this  congregation,  first,  my  descent  and  education ;  and  secondly, 
the  greate  worke  of  my  conversion."  With  regard  to  his  birth, 
he  saysjhe  was  a  Jew  of  the  tribe  of  Judah,  and  born  at  Mantua, 


IN  THE  NOETH  OP  ENGLAND.  25 

production  of  Dr.  Samuel  Hammond,  of  St.  Nicholas' 
church,  Newcastle-on-Tyne ;  of  Mr.  Thomas  "Wild,  of 
St.  Mary's,  Gateshead,  (both  ejected  in  1662);  and 
other  ministers  in  the  neighbourhood. —  Vol.  I.  p.  492, 
and  Vol.  II.  p.  267. 

Mr.  Tillam,  after  the  baptism  of  the  professed  Jew, 
had  published  a  small  tract  relating  the  circumstance* 
and  containing  the  confession  the  pretender  had  made. 
This  diffused  the  knowledge  of  the  matter  [abroad, 
and  the  ministers  of  Newcastle,  above-named,  and  Mr. 
"William  Durant,  of  All  Hallows,  of  the  same  town,  af-  • 

in  Italy.  He  had  been  taught  eight  languages,  and  had  become 
acquainted  with  the  views  of  Plato,  See.,  respecting  the  Trinity. 
He  had  compared  these,  and  those  of  the  New  Testament,  with 
the  Jewish  scriptures,  and  found  a  considerably  similarity,  parti- 
cularly in  the  word  Elohim  (Gods)  being  connected  with  a  singular 
verb,  and  the  expressions  "Let  MS  make  man,"  &c.  He  also 
alluded  to  the  impressions  made  on  his  mind  by  the  prophecies  of 
the  Messiah,  as  fulfilled  in  Christ,  &c.  After  his  first  convictions, 
however,  he  had  had  several  relapses  to  Judaism;  but,  at  length, 
was  fully  confirmed  in  the  truth.  He,  however,  had  disapproved  of 
the  several  Christian  parties  he  had  tried.  He  had  found  nothing 
among  the  Catholics  but  the  most  horrible  idolatry;  and  among 
the  Lutherans  in  Germany,  nothing  but  consubstantiation;  and 
among  the  Calvinists  of  Hesse,  nothing  but  organs  and  wicked 
lives.  At  length  he  had  to  come  to  England,  and  there  he  found 
Christ  to  the  exceeding  joy  of  his  soul.  "As,"  said  he,  "the  Lord 
Jesus  has  commanded  his  people  to  attend  to  ordinances,  I, 
therefore,  conceived  myself  to  be  called  to  arise  and  be  baptized." 
He  then  concludes  thus,  "  I  do  here  avow  thee,  Lord  Jesus,  my 
true  Saviour; — I  rejoice  in  thy  church  and  people — thy  precious 
saints,  who  thus  do  walk  through  thy  grace,  according  to  thy  will 
and  holy  commands.  Do  thou,  therefore,  convey  the  grace  of  or- 
dinances into  my  heart,  that  I  may  live  to  the  honour  of  thy  name, 
as  becometh  thy  servant  waiting  for  thy  coming.  So  come,  Lord 
Jesus,  and  tarry  not.  Barach  adonay  egalani  vanged  Amen  ve 
Amen."— R.  Josephus  B.  Israel,  Heb.  Mantua. 

This  took  place  in  the  Parish  House,  Hexham,  5  day,  4  month, 
1653. 

C 


26  HISTOEY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

terwards  a  Congregationalist,  together  with  Mr.  Cuth- 
bert  Sidenham,  suspecting  it  was  a  person  with  whom 
they  had  been  previously  acquainted — probably  by  his 
calling  on  them,  in  the  iirst  instance,  before  going 
among  the  Baptists — engaged  a  friend  of  theirs,  who 
had  been  deluded  by  him,  to  write  to  him,  inviting  him 
to  Newcastle,  to  clear  himself  of  certain  forgeries  that 
had  been  laid  to  his  charge. 

The  pretended  Jew  obeyed  the  summons,  and  on  the 
21st  of  June,  seventeen  days  after  his  confession  and 
Baptism,  came  to  Newcastle,  accompanied  by  Mr.  Til- 
lam  and  several  of  the  members  of  the  Baptist  church 
at  Hexham.  He  then  went  to  the  house  of  his  quondam 
friend,  who  immediately  sent  for  the  above  ministers 
and  two  other  individuals,  one,  the  master  of  the  vessel 
in  which  the  Jew  had  lately  sailed  from  Hamburgh,  and 
the  other  a  fellow  passenger.  These  parties  then  iden- 
tified his  person,  although,  it  is  said,  "  he  was  divested 
of  his  periwig."  They  affirmed,  that  they  had  come 
with  him  from  Hamburgh  to  Shields,  in  April  last. 
This  took  place  in  the  house  of  Alderman  George  Daw- 
son,  whither  all  the  parties  had  repaired,  for  the  purpose 
of  the  identification. 

On  the  same  day,  the  master  of  the  vessel  gave  evi- 
dence, "  on  oath,"  before  Henry  Dawson,  esq..  Mayor  of 
Newcastle.  In  doing  so,  he  affirmed,  that  the  person 
accused  had  been  placed  on  board  his  vessel,  by  the 
sympathy  of  a  countryman,  who  had  relieved  him  in  the 
midst  of  his  difficulties.  During  the  voyage,  he  had  been 
sick,  and  confessed  that  he  had  been  under  the  Pope  as  a 
Benedictine  Friar.  His  conscience,  however,  having  ac- 
cused him,  he  had  made  his  escape.  He  had  also  affirm- 
ed, that  there  were  many  Jesuits  in  England,  as  well  as 
ia  China.  He,  himself,  he  said,  had  been  employed  as 
'one,  and  the  more  effectually  to  conceal  his  designs,  he 
was  to  carry  on  the  business  of  a  tailor.  The  master 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  27 

stated,    he    had,  during  the    voyage,    called  himself 
Thomas  Horsley. 

To  all  these  statements,  the  accused  acceded,  but  Mr. 
Tillam  intimated,  that  he  was  of  opinion,  that  the  pre- 
sent prosecution  was  the  result  of  envy,  and  if"  his  dear 
brother  in  Christ,"  had  joined  the  party  to  which  the 
plaintiffs  belonged,  they  never  would  have  attempted  to 
blacken  his  character  as  they  were  now  doing. 

To  this  they  replied,  that  owing  to  several  circum- 
stances, they  had  suspected  him  before  he  had  joined 
Mr.  Tillam.  These  were, — his  perfect  knowledge  of  the 
English  language;  his  leaving  Newcastle  and  going  to 
Col.  Hobson,  without  giving  any  intimation  to  them, 
after  they  had  hospitably  entertained  him ;  his  intimate 
acquaintance  with  a  certain  family  in  Newcastle ;  and 
lastly,  and  especially,  from  two  letters  which  they  had 
seen  in  the  possession  of  a  person  resident  in  Newcastle. 
Both  of  these  letters  were  from  a  Mrs.  Ramsay,  wife 
of  Dr.  Ramsay,  in  Scotland.  One  of  them  was  address- 
ed to  the  person  who  held  the  letters,  and  the  other  to 
the  pretended  Jew,  in  which  she  calls  herself,  his  mother; 
and  states  that  his  father  had  seen  a  letter  from  him, 
under  the  assumed  name  of  Thomas  Horsley. 

The  pretended  Rabbi,  aided  by  his  friend  Mr.  Tillam, 
attempted,  with  much  ingenuity,  to  defend  himself  on  the 
first  three  of  these  points ;  but  all  his  special  pleading 
only  tended  unalterably  to  confirm  his  accusers  in  the 
idea  that  he  was,  as  they  affirmed,  "  a  perfect  cheat." 

On  the  fourth  count,  however,  they  gained  a  complete 
triumph.  He  could  make  no  reply  to  them ;  but  calling 
Mr.  Tillam  aside,  he  acknowledged  to  him,  that  he  was 
not  a  Jew,  but  the  son  of  Dr.  Alexander  Ramsay,  at 
present  a  physician  in  Scotland.  At  another  meeting, 
he  disclosed  the  whole  truth  to  the  prosecutors,  and  said, 
he  was  born  in  London,  of  Scottish  parentage,  and  had 

lived  with  his  father  sixteen  years.    He  then  went  to  an 

c  2 


28  HISTOBY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

uncle's  in  Glasgow  for  education,  and  continued  there  one 
year ;  and  after  remaining  in  Edinburgh  another  year, 
he  went  through  Germany  to  Rome,  where  he  was  one 
year  in  a  Dominican  Cloister,  and  another  in  the  college 
of  the  Jesuits.  He  was  then  sent,  with  the  personal 
benediction  of  the  P.ope,  on  a  special  mission  to  Germany 
and  England.  Here,  he  was  to  close  with  the  Anabap- 
tists, as  the  prevailing  party;  and  with  this  view  he 
had  gone  to  Col.  Hobson,  who  wished  him  to  exercise 
in  a  public  meeting ;  but  he  had  only  told  some  stories 
of  the  Rabbins,  and  made  some  reflexions  on  the  present 
translation  of  the  Scriptures.  The  Colonel  then  recom- 
mended him  to  go  to  Mr.  Tillam  at  Hexham,  who  had 
not  only  baptised  him,  but  would  have  him  to  partake 
of  the  Lord's  Supper,  but  at  that,  he  said,  his  conscience 
had  revolted. 

On  making  this  confession,  young  Ramsay  was  sent 
to  London,  with  the  evidence  against  him,  to  the  Lord 
General  (Cromwell,)  and  the  Council  of  State.  No  do- 
cument, however,  has  as  yet  come  to  light,  to  inform  us 
what  ultimately  became  of  him.* 

*  The  whole  of  this  narrative  may,  perhaps,  be  affirmed  to  be 
more  entertaining  than  instructive.  It  is,  indeed,  in  perfect  keep- 
ing with  the  character  of  the  times,  but  after  all,  throws  on  them 
but  little  light,  to  those  previously  acquainted  with  them.  It  was 
truly  the  age  of  espionage,  imposture,  and  duplicity.  The  amount 
of  the  story  itself,  only  shews  us  some  of  the  vagaries  and  extrava- 
gances of  an  eccentric  youth,  who  was  respectably  connected,  and 
probably  well  educated,  both  mentally  and  morally,  but  who  seems, 
in  his  early  days,  at  least,  to  have  been  much  more  attached  to  a 
restless  and  wandering  existence,  than  to  one  more  in  harmony 
with  the  comforts  of  home,  respectability,  and  usefulness. 

It  was  on  the  trial  of  Ramsay,  that  Mr.  Tillam  avowed  himself 
to  have  been  formerly  a  Catholic,  and  to  have  travelled  on  the 
Continent.  As  to  the  part  he  took  in  the  affair,  it  was  evidently 
one  much  more  of  zeal  than  prudence;  this,  however,  he  at  length 
discovered,  ami  it  is  worthy  of  notice  that  it  was  never  brought 


Iff  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  29 

as  a  charge  afterwards  against  him,  in  the  midst  of  all  the  bitter- 
ness entertained  towards  him  by  Mr.  Gower,  of  Newcastle. 

As  to  the  conduct  of  the  ministers  of  Newcastle,  &c.,  who  in- 
terested themselves  in  the  matter,  whatever  degree  of  disappointed 
spleen,  as  Mr.  Tillam  suggested,  they  might  have  shown  on  the 
occasion,  they  yet  acted  an  upright  part  to  society,  and  a  kind  and 
faithful  part  to  the  young  man,  by  bringing  his  guilty  and  foolish 
imposture  to  light. 


30  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 


CHAPTER  III. 

Stokesley  Revival— Mr.  Kaye— Muggleswick  Revival— Baptists 
in  Scotland — The  army — General  Mont— General  Lilburne — 
Mr.  Hiekborngill — Mr.  Stackhouse — Church  at  Leith — Letters 
— Churches  in  Scotland,  &c. — Baptists  and  Presbyterians — 
Letters  to  General  Lilburne — Lilburne's  history — Baptists,  in 
the  army,  leave  Scotland. 

1653. — About  a  fortnight  after  the  affair  of  the  Jew, 
in  Newcastle,  Mr.  vTillam  was  called  to  a  scene  of  la- 
bour, much  adapted  to  animate  his  spirits,  after  his 
disappointment  in  that  matter.  This  was  Stokesley, 
in  Yorkshire,  a  small  town,  neat,  clean,  and  interest- 
ly  situated,  at  the  base  of  the  Hambleton  Hills,  and 
on  the  skirts  of  the  romantic  and  beautiful  vale  of 
Cleveland.  It  lies  about  twelve  miles  from  Stockton- 
on-Tees. 

Baptist  principles,  at  this  stirring  period,  had  found 
their  way  to  the  above-named  place.  A  Mr.  William 
Kaye  was  then,  as  is  affirmed  in  the  archives  of  the 
church  at  Hexham,  the  minister  of  Stokesley.  "Whether 
or  no  he  was  the  minister  of  the  established  church  here, 
we  are  not  informed.  Be  this,  however,  as  it  might,  he 
and  nineteen  of  his  members  had  invited  Mr.  Tillarn  to 
come  from  Hexham,  and  baptize  them.  Mr.  Tillam 
cheerfully  obeyed  the  summons,  and  he,  with  seven  of  the 
members  of  the  church  at  Hexham,  on  the  3rd  of  July, 
proceeded  to  Stokesley,  and  there  immersed,  in  the  Divine 
name,  Mr.  Kaye  and  his  nineteen  friends.  This,  Mr. 
Tillam  calls  "  a'greate  worke,"  and  "  a  worke  of  wonder, 
calling  for  our  high  praises."  Expressions  these,  which 
indicate  a  deep  interest  in  the  cause  of  God,  and  a  lively 
sense  of  gratitude,  that  he  had  been  honoured  by  en- 


IN-  THE  NORTEC  OP  ENGLANIf:  31 

gaging  in  it.  Neither  pastors  nor  Christian  chinches, 
can  be  useful  to  their  fellow  beings  without  this  state  of 
mind.  Affection  is  an  active  principle,  and  delights  in 
exercise.  The  kindliest  Christian  emotion  now  subsisted 
between  the  ministers,  and  the  churches,  at  Hexham 
and  Stokesley;  and  that  emotion  shewed  itself  in  a  de- 
sire, on  the  part,  particularly  of  the  latter  people,  to 
correspond  with  those  who  had  helped  them  on  their 
way,  in  doing  what  they  regarded  as  the  will  of  God. 
Mr.  Kaye  and  his  people  wrote  to  Mr.  Tillam  !and  the 
church  under  his  care,  an  excellent  letter,  expressing 
their  sympathy  with  them,  and  particularly  with  Mr. 
Tillam  himself,  in  the  midst  of  all  his  personal  trials. 
"Christ,"  say  they,  "must  have  his  cross  carried,  and 
none  more  fit  than  we  to  beare  it."  It  is  such  a  feeling 
as  this,  that  enables  any  minister,  or  Christian,  "  to  fill 
up  that  which  is  behind  of  the  afflictions  of  Christ,  for 
his  body's  sake,  which  is  the  church."  May  all  the 
churches  of  the  saints  cherish  such  a  truly  Christian 
emotion ! 

A  revival  of  Religion  in  one  place  often  leads  to  a 
revival  in  another.  The  church  at  Hexham  was  greatly 
invigorated  by  what  had  taken  place  at  Stokesley.  At 
Muggleswick,  also,  a  village  lying  about  twelve  miles 
south-east  of  Hexham,  eight  persons,  living' in  the  vil- 
lage, or  neighbourhood,  wedre  baptized.  These  had  all 
"been  ignorant,  either  of  the  way  of  salvation,  or  of  the 
spiritual  nature  of  Christ's  kingdom ;  and,  doubtless,  Mr. 
Tillam  and  his  friends  must  have  been  greatly  delighted. 
The  event'  seems  to  have  excited  considerable  attention 
in  the  vicinity,  as  numbers  of  persons  had  assembled 
together,  to  see  the  newly-made  converts  immersed  in 
water,  probably  in  the  Derwent,  whose  stream,. on  its 
deeply  indented  and  picturesque  banks,  passes  the  village. 
Three  Poedobaptist  ministers,  among  others,  had  assem- 
bled to  witness  the  scene,  and  to  assist  each  other  in 


32  HISTORY  Otf  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

holding  a  disputation  on  the  subject  of  baptism.    The 
scene  was  altogether  novel,  as  it  is  a  circumstance  in  no  • 
way  questionable,  that  professed  believers  had  never 
been  baptized  by  immersion,  in  that  neighbourhood,  at 
least  since  the  days  of  Austin,  the  first  Popish  mission- 
ary from  Rome,  or  some  of  his  successors  in  the  dark 
ages.    Who  these  ministers  were,  we  are  not  told ;  but 
as  the  names  of  old  Duery,  Braidley,  and  Boyce  occur, 
persons  formerly  alluded  to,  and  all  living  at  this  time, 
at  Muggleswiek,  or  the  neighbourhood, — these  three 
might  have  assembled  to  witness  the  strange  sight.    But 
as  the  two  former  seem  to  have  been  very  ignorant  per- 
sonages, and  as  there  appears  to  have  been  little  commu- 
nication between  them  and  Mr.  Boyce,  (the  interloping 
Presbyterian,  as  he  was  called,)  so  it  seems  not  impro- 
bable that  Mr.  Boyce,  similarly  to  what  happened  a 
century  afterwards  in  the  vicinity  of  Hexham,  had  invited 
two  other  Presbyterians  to  combat  the  redoubtable  Ana- 
baptist minister,  Mr.  Tillam,  lately  come  from  London. 
The  disputation  began.    Mr.  Tillam  triumphed.    Six 
persons,  on  the  spot,  owned  the  fact,  by  requesting  to  be 
baptized.    "Mr.  Tillam,"  they  affirmed,  "had  trium- 
phed by  a  more  correct  exhibition  of  the  truth."    These 
parties  were  baptized,  and  added  to  the  Baptist  church 
at  Hexham.    Circumstances  of  the  greatest  consequence 
to  the  cause  arose  from  this  Incident. 

A  spirit  of  friendly  intercourse  between  the  different 
Baptist  churches  existing  at  this  period,  began  now  to 
shew  itself.  A  correspondence  that  we  have  in  the  manu- 
script-record of  the  church  at  Hexham,  throws  farther 
light  on  this  matter.  This  record  refers  to  several  let- 
ters that  had  passed  between  that  church  and  certain 
messengers  they  had  sent  to  visit  the  churches  in  Scot- 
land, and  also  to  letters  between  one  of  the  churches 
there  and  the  church  at  Hexham. 
Owing  to  the  Scotch  nation  having  espoused  the  cause 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  33 

of  Charles  the  Second,  Cromwell  led  the  forces  of  the 
Commonwealth  into  that  country;  and,  after  gaining  the 
battles  of  Dunbar  and  "Worcester,  reduced  the  kingdom, 
incorporating  it  with  the  Commonwealth  of  England ;  af- 
ter which  General  Monk  was  sent  with  a  small  army  to 
hold  it  in  subjection.  In  this  army  there  were  many  Bap- 
tists who  were  very  zealous  in  supporting  and  extending 
their  principles.  This  zeal  was  increased,  when  Monk 
left  the  army,  to  command  the  fleet  against  the  Dptch,  in 
the  beginning  of  1653,  leaving  Major  General  Robert 
Lilburne  in  command  of  the  troops  in  Scotland.  General 
Lilburne  himself  was  a  Baptist,  and  gave  to  the  Baptists 
every  facility  to  promote  their  peculiar  views  of  Divine 
truth,  and  any  Baptist  minister  from  England,  who 
visited  Scotland  at  this  time,  met  with  his  warm  regards 
and  especial  protection, 

We  have  an  instance  of  this,  in  his  treatment  of  the 
messenger  of  the  church  at  Hexham,  Mr.  Edward  Hick- 
horngill,  already  mentioned.  The  general's  head  quar- 
ters were  at  Dalkeith,  about  six  miles  south  of  Edin- 
burgh. Young  Hickhorngill  repaired  thither,  and  was 
kindly  welcomed  by  the  commander-in- chief.  He  was 
invited  by  him  to  become  a  chaplain  in  the  army. 
Owing,  however,  to  a  change  in  his  views,  regarding 
taking  a  salary  for  ministerial  employment,  he  declined, 
but  with  a  view  to  his  being  religiously  useful  in  the 
army,  he  became  a  lieutenant  in  the  regiment  of  Colonel 
Daniel,  stationed  at  St.  Johnston,  or  Perth.  Mr.  Hick- 
horngill wrote  a  number  of  letters,  but  we  omit  them,  as 
they  chiefly  have  regard  to  the  above  matters. 

The  general  was  still  anxious  to  employ  gifted  bre- 
thren, as  chaplains  in  the  army,  and  requested  Mr. 
Hickhorngill,  in  corresponding  with  his  friends  at- Hex- 
ham,  to  solicit  any  one,  capable  of  the  service,  to  come  as 
soon  as  possible,  to  become  his  own  chaplain.  The  rea- 
son of  his  urgency  was,  "  That  there  were  diverse  honest 


34  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Scotch  people  that  longed  to  be  gathered  into  the  same 
gospel  order  with  themselves,  but  they  wanted  a  faith- 
ful pastor." 

To  this  request  the  church  at  Hexham  immediately 
responded,  by  sending  one  of  their  brethren,  a  Mr.  Tho- 
mas Stackhouse,  to  be  their  messenger;  bearing  with 
him  a  general  recommendation  to  any  of  the  churches 
he  .might  visit.  Mr.  Stackhouse  went  to  the  com- 
mander, who  kindly  received  him ;  and  he  was  equally 
welcomed  by  his  Baptist  brethren  in  general,  in  the 
different  places  he  visited. 

At  Leith,  the  port  of  Edinburgh,  a  Baptist  church  had 
been  formed ;  composed,  in  all  likelihood,  of  a  portion  of 
the  detachment  of  the  army  stationed  there,  and  some  of 
the  inhabitants.  Mr.  Stackhouse  visited  this  church, 
and  was  treated,  as  he  mentions  in  his  letter  to  the 
church  at  Hexham,  "in  a  most  brotherly  manner." 
Having  ministered  among  them  for  a  short  time,  he  re- 
turned to  Hexham,  bearing  with  him  a  letter  from  the 
church  at  Leith,  to  the  brethren  on  the  banks  of  the 
Tyne,  of  which  the  following  is  an  extract : 

*  «     «     •    *<  Beloved  brethren,  we  are  delighted  to  hear  of 
that  eminent  work  of  God,  which  hath  sprung  up  amongst  you  in 
those  parts,  in  that  he  is  pleased  to  add  unto  his  church  daily  such 
as  shall  be  saved,  and  to  make  you  or  any  of  you  instruments  in 
his  hands  to  gather  together  the  outcasts  of  Israel,  and  to  bring 
poor  souls  out  of  the  kingdom  of  darkness  into  the  kingdom  of  his. 
dear  Son.    '    *    He  hath  said  the  mountain  of  the  Lord's  house 
shall  be  established,  &c. 

*  *    * "   "  Dear  brethren,  we  trust  your  eyes  have  beheld  the 
outgoings  of  God  in  these  things,  and  do  hope  your  hearts  are 
made  alive,  in  some  measure,  to  the  consideration  of  it,  and,  like- 
wise, are  made  willing  to  wait  upon  the  Lord  in  all  obedience,  and 
so,  we  entreat  you,  not  to  be  weary  in  well-doing,  for  the  expecta- 
tion of  the  poor  shall  never  be  forgotten. 

"  Now  brethren  we  commend  you  to  God  and  the  word  of  his 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  35 

grace,  &c.    Your  faithful  brethren  in  the  faith  and  fellowship  of 
the  gospel. 

Signed  in  the  name  and  by  the  ap-~j     j0HN  CARLILE. 
pointment  of  the  church  at  Leith,  > 
3rd  month  SB*  day.  J    THOMAS  POWELL." 

Mr.  Stackhouse  appears,  very  soon  after  this,  to  have 
returned  to  Scotland.  He,  probably,  had  come  back  to 
Hexham  to  settle  his  affairs  there,  and  again  returned, 
either  to  be  chaplain  to  the  general,  or  to  take  charge 
of  the  church  at  Leith ;  or,  it  may  be,  to  combine  both 
relations  in  his  own  person.  In  writing  history,  where 
our  information  is  scanty,  and  we  are  furnished  only 
with  leading  particulars,  we  are  led  to  fill  up  the  outline 
by  conjectures  the  most  probable.  On  Ms  return,  what- 
ever was  its  object,  Mr.  Stackhouse  carried  with  him  the 
following  letter,  to  the  church  at  Leith,  in  answer  to 
theirs  sent  by  him : 

"  To  the  Beloved  Spouse  of  the  Lord  Christ  walking  in  the 
blessed  order  of  the  Gospel,  at  Leith  in  Scotland. 

"  Precious  brethren,  in  the  endeared  bowels  of  unfeigned  love, 
we  desire  to  breathe  our  salutations  into  your  bosoms,  as  those 
who  have  had  rich  experience  of  your  heavenly  frame  of  mind  in 
your  Christian  embraces  of  those  members  of  the  body  who  by 
Providence  have  been  cast  among  you ;  and  especially,  of  your 
saint-like  conduct  unto,  and  tender  regard  of,  this  our  dearly  belov- 
ed brother,  Mr.  Tho.  Stackhouse,  in  whose  gospel -like  visit  we 
have  been  greatly  refreshed,  as  also  by  the  fair  salutes  from  you 
our  much-honoured  sister  church.  We  glory  in  the  service  where- 
in you  have  employed  him,  for  ye  enlargement  of  the  borders  of 
or  Lord  Jesus ;  whom  we  heartily  bless  for  his  supporting  grace  in 
these  shaking,  revolting  times,  preserving  this  our  beloved  Bro  - 
ther  steadfast?  in  the  faith,  arid  now  we  return  him  to  yor  lovely 
-communion,  in  the  unspotted  robes  of  Christ's  righteousness,' hum- 
bly begging  of  God  that  a  thousand-fold  may  be  repaid  into  yr  bo- 
somes  for  those  Christian  encouragements  which  from  you  have 
greatly  cheered  the  spirits  of 

Y'  faithful  and  affectionate 

Brethren  in  y«  gospel." 


36  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHtfRCHES 

In  these  letters,  passing  between  the  churches  of  Leith 
and  Hexham,  as  well  as  between  the  Baptist  churches 
in  general,  at  this  period,  we  perceive  how  much  they 
wished  to  cherish  towards  each  other  the  feeling  of 
Christian  affection.    This  was  right ;  but  the  propriety 
of  the  language  they  employed  may  be  questionable. 
It  was  an  imitation,  and,  in  part,  a  use  of  the  language 
of  the  New  Testament.    Considering  the  time  in  which 
they  lived,  and  the  circumstances  in  which  they  were 
placed,  this  was  not  surprising.     The  Bible  was  but 
partially  circulated  throughout  the  country.     It  had 
long  been  altogether  suppressed.     Forty  years  had 
scarcely  elapsed  since  the  translation  under  King  James 
had  been  made,  and  come  into  general  use.    It  is  not 
wonderful  then,  that  in  the  epistolary  correspondence  of 
the  age,  especially  among  those  who  wished  to  come  in 
all  things  as  near  to  the  scripture  model  as  they  possibly 
could,  there  should  be  a  considerable  use  and  imitation 
of  the  language  of  the  first  Christians,  in  their  inter- 
course with  one  another.    In  reviewing  this,  however, 
at  the  distance  of  two  hundred  years,  we  are  apt  to 
think  the  use  of  scripture  language  is  somewhat  immo- 
derate, and  the  imitation  of  their  endearing  expressions 
a  little  too  luscious,  reminding  us  frequently  of  the  su- 
per-politeness of  some  in  modern  times — a  language  that 
savours  more  of  affectation  and  hypocrisy,  than  of  the 
truth,  and  the  genuine  simplicity  of  nature.    The  simple 
language  of  nature,  without  the  affectation  of  simplicity, 
is  the  language  of  truth,  and  consequently  much  more 
acceptable  to  Gcd,  and  useful  to  man,  than  the  imitation 
of  the  language  of  others,  however  sacred  that  language 
may  be. 

With  regard  to  the  church  at  Leith,  little  more  is 
known  of  it  than  what  is  found  in  the  archives 
of  the  church  at  Hexham.  The  only  other  reference 
that  has  as  yet  been  found  regarding  it,  is  m  a  preface 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  37 

to  a  fourth  edition,  published  at  Leith,  of  the  Confession 
of  Faith  of  the  Baptists,  originally  published  in  1646, 
already  mentioned.  The  preface  is  dated,  "Leith  the 
10th  of  first  month,  vulgarly  called  March,  1652-3, 
and  signed  in  the  name  and  by  the  appointment  of  the 
church  of  Christ,  meeting  at  Leith  and  Edinburgh,  by 
Thomas  Spencer,  Abraham  Holmes,  Thomas  Powell, 
John  Brady."* 

In  many,  if  not  all,  of  the  garrisons  and  military  sta- 
tions throughout  Scotland  at  that  time,  the  views  of  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  held  by  the  Baptists,  made  a  consi- 
derable impression.  Like  the  Methodistic  and  dissent- 
ing soldiers  of  modern  times,  as  well  as  those  in  the 
early  ages  of  Christianity,  the  soldiers  in  the  army  of 
the  Commonwealth,  who  held  Baptist  sentiments,  were 
zealous  to  diffuse  the  principles  of  their  faith;  from  the 
deep  conviction  that  they  were  intimately  connected 
with  the  honour  and  truth  of  Christianity,  as  well  as 
the  salvation  of  the  souls  of  men.  Hence  we  are  told, 
that  many  persons,  at  this  time,  were  immersed  in  the 
water  of  Leith,  which  passes  Edinburgh  on  the  North, 
and  falls  into  the  Frith  of  Forth,  at  the  town  of  Leith. 
Among  these,  it  is  stated,  was  Lady  "Wallace  of  Craigie. 
At  Cupar,  in  Fife,  too,  where  there  was  a  troop  station- 
ed, a  certain  individual  of  the  name  of  Brown,  probably 
the  chaplain  of  the  troop,  preached  the  gospel,  and 
baptized  several  of  the  regiment  in  the  river  Eden.f  So 
far  back  also  as  October,  1651,  it  is  affirmed,  that  at  a 
ministers'  meeting  in  Edinburgh,  some  of  the  assisting 
elders  ventured  to  give  it  as  their  opinion,  that  children 
should  not  receive  the  sacrament  of  baptism  till  they 
could  give  a  confession  of  their  faith.  Some  ministers 

•  See  Rippon's  Eegister,  2nd  Vol.,  page  361;  and  New  Evan. 
•Magazine,  10th  Vol.,  page  210. 

f  Lament's  Chronicles  of  Fife,  as  quoted  in  the  circular  of  the 
Baptist  Union  of  Scotland,  for  1843. 

D 


38  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

also,  are  said  to  have  embraced  these  views.  '  Alexan- 
der Cornwall,  of  Linlithgow,  and  Thomas  Charteris,  of 
Stenhouse,  baptized,  it  is  said,  old  people,  maintained 
Anabaptism,  and  would  not  baptize  infants.* 

At  Dalkeith,  also,  the  head  quarters  of  the  army,  and 
residence  of  the  General,  there  can  be  little  doubt 
that  a  society  of  Baptists  would  be  formed;  as  the 
General  desired  Mr.  Hickhorngill  to  announce  to  the 
church  at  Hexham,  as  already  stated,  that  there  were 
several  honest  Scotch  people,  that  wished  to  have  a 
pastor,  and  to  attend  to  the  order  of  the  gospel.  This 
appears  also  to  have  been  the  case  at  Perth.  In  a  post- 
script to  one  of  Mr.  Hickhorngill's  letters,  we  have  the 
following  intimation :  "  I  am  at  present  Lieut,  to  Capt. 
Gascoigne,  in  Col.  Daniel's  regiment,  in  this  garrison  of 
Johnston's,  disposed  hither,  by  my  old  friend,  Col.  Lil- 
burne,  it  being  the  first  vacancy  in  Scotland  after 
ye  resignation  of  my  chaplain's  employment.  The  bre- 
thren here,  at  Johnston's,  are  in  good  health,  and  would 
be  glad  to  hear  ye  same  of  you,  and  of  the  presence  of 
the  Lord  with  you.  St.  Johnson's,  7  her.  — 53." 

There  is  a  letter  from  Edward  Limbrough,  one  of  the 
members  of  the  church  at  Hexham,  dated  Jadburt, 
doubtless  Jedburgh,  in  Roxburghshire,  Scotland.  In 
this  letter  he  complains  of  being  in  a  state  of  spiritual 
barrenness  and  deadness,  owing  to  his  want  of  the  means 
of  grace  he  had  formerly  enjoyed  with  his  Christian 
brethren.  He  also  affirms,  that  his  lot  was  "cast  in 
those  parts  where  there  are  no  visible  saints,  but  in  the 
midst  of  a  rugged  generation,  being  led  by  their  priests, 
who  bear  rule  over  them  by  their  power,  and  the  people 
delight  to  have  it  soe.  But  I  hope  their  folly  will  be 
made  manifest  by  the  day."  Mr.  Limbrough  does  not 
state  the  object  of  his  sojourn  in  Scotland,  or  who  sent 

*  See  Johnston's  Circular  Letter  of  the  Baptist  Union  of 
Scotland. 


•IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  39 

him  thither,  but  only,  that  he  had  been  sent  there  by 
Providence.  His  hopes,  however,  that  the  benighted 
Scotch  Presbyterians  would  see  the  folly  of  the  priest- 
craft by  which  they  were  bound,  by  the  light  shining 
around  them,  may  refer,  if  not  to  his  publicly  attempting 
to  preach  the  gospel  among  them,  yet  to  his  private  in- 
structions relative  to  Christian  institutions,  and  the 
nature  of  the  kingdom  of  the  Saviour  in  the  world. 

The  army  that  Cromwell  left  in  Scotland,  under  the 
command  of  General  Monk,  was  but  6000  men,  but  it 
was  filled  with -what  the  historians  of  that  period  called 
fanatics.  Cromwell  is  said  to  have  done  this  as  a 
check  on  General  Monk,  whom  he  treated  with  all  the 
caution  of  distrust.  Hence,  we  find  it  said,  that  "this 
body  of  troops  committed  to  him,  was  composed  of  the 
most  restless  and  most  fanatic  of  the  army.  He  was 
aware  of  Monk's  aversion  to  these  gentry,  and  knowing 

.  also  the  degree  to  which  Monk  was  suspected  by  them, 
lie  calculated  that  they  would  watch  each  other."  In  a 
note  on  this  sentiment  we  find  the  following  remark : 
"The  fact  was,  the  army  in  Scotland  had  been  already 
filled  with  these  people  by  Lilburne,  a  fanatic  Anabap- 
tist, who  had  been  left  in  command  there."*  This  note 
is  not  correct.  The  command  of  Lilburne  was  after  Monk 
had  been  installed  Commander-in-chief  in  Scotland, 
and  it  was  only  during  the  absence  of  Monk,  for  about 
twelve  months,  in  consequence  of  the  Dutch  war,  that  Lil- 
burne held  the  command.  This  was  in  1653  and  the 
early  part  of  1 654,  the  period  to  which  our  narrative 
has  particular  reference.  Lilburne  then  could  only  be 

_  said  to  have  invited  their  increase;  and  abetted  their 
zeal.  In  this,  no  doubt,  as  a  Baptist  himself,  he  acted 
conscientiously.  In  one  of  the  letters  of  Mr.  Hickhorn- 

*  See  memoirs  of  George  Mont,  duke  of  Albemarle,  from  the 
French  of  M.  Guizot,  translated  and  edited  with  additional  notes 
and  illustrations,  by  the  Hon.  J.  Stuart  "Wortley.  Page  76. 

D  2 


40  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

gill,  we  find  him  referring  to  his  having  been  often  soli- 
cited to  take  the  charge  of  the  church  at  Leith,  "by  the 
chief  of  them,  as  Major  Holmes,  Major  Edw.  Harrison," 
&c.  This  Major  Holmes,  is  most  probably,  the  Abra- 
ham Holmes,  whose  name  is  appended  to  the  confession 
of  faith,  published  at  Leith,  referred  to  above.  A  Major 
Holman,  or  Holmes,  is  said  to  be  major  of  Monk's 
regiment.*  This  evinces  that  the  church  at  Leith, 
was  chiefly,  if  not  entirely,  composed  of  the  English 
soldiery. 

Some  excesses  of  zeal,  on  the  part  of  the  Baptists  in 
the  army  and  their  chaplains,  are  represented  as  hav- 
ing been  checked  by  General  Monk,  on  resuming  his 
command,  in  1654.     They  are  mentioned  as  "having 
driven  the  Presbyterian  clergy  from  their  churches  and 
pulpits,"  and  otherwise  behaving  rudely  towards  them, 
in  the  exercise  of  their  religious  duties.f     This  re- 
presentation,  though   probably  over-charged,    as  the 
Presbyterians,  bloated  with  national  and  religious  anti- 
pathy, were  the  bitter  enemies  of  the  Anabaptists,  as 
they  called  them,  and  General  Monk  was  not  their 
friend,  had,  in  all  probability,  a  degree  of  truth  in  it.   In 
the  bosom  of  the  English  soldier,  even  though  under  the 
influence  of  religion,  there  would,  doubtless,  be  the  re- 
mains of  national  prejudice,  mingled  with  a  portion  of 
the  contempt  which  the  conqueror  feels  for  the  con- 
quered.   The  ardent  zeal  also,  of  men  but  newly  con- 
verted to  opinions  which  they  deemed  more  pure,  more 
spiritual,  and  more  truly  scriptural  and  Christian,  than 
those  held  by  the  ignorant  and  priest-ridden  members 
of  the  religious  establishments,  on  both  sides  of  the 
Tweed,  might  tempt  them  to  use  language  and  perform 
deeds,  which,  in  their  cooler  moments,  on  a  calm  and 
enlarged  view  of  their  own  principles,  they  might  have 
been  disposed  altogether  to  condemn.    Their  principles, 
•  See  Guizot  as  above,  page  84.        f  See  also  page  77« 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  41 

indeed,"  were  incompatible,  not  only  with  persecution, 
but  with  the  false  position  they  then  occupied  as  sol- 
diers ;  and  this  they  were  taught,  at  no  distant  day,  by 
the  iron  hand  of  Cromwell.  He  that  taketh  the  sword 
is  in  danger,  sooner  or  later,  of  being  injured  by  it. 

But  to  return  to  our  narrative.  The  messengers  of 
the  church  at  Hexham  continued  in  Scotland,  and  main- 
tained a  friendly  correspondence  with  those  they  had 
left.  In  a  letter  to  his  brethren  on  the  Tyne,  My., ;Staek- 
house  laments,  in  feeling  terms,  the  defection  of  his 
brother,  Mr.  Edward  Hickhorngill,  from  his  religious 
principles.  On  hearing  this,  the  church  at  Hexham 
wrote  an  epistle,  full  of  tender  and  kind  admonition,  to 
Hickhorngill,  which  produced  the  effect  of  bringing  him, 
apparently,  to  a  sincere  repentance,  as  evinced  in  a  let- 
ter to  the  church  at  Hexham,  in  September,  1653. 

There  is  an  allusion  to  the  apostacy  of  this  young 
man, in  the  following  letter,  sent  by  the  Hexham  people 
to  General  Lilburne,  by  Mr.  Stackhouse,  in  the  previous 
month  of  June : 

"  To  the  right  Honble  Major  General  Lilburne,  Commander  in 
Chief,  Scotland,  these  present,  Dalkeith. 

"HONOURED  S», 

"  It  hath  been  matter  of  great  ioy  and  consolation  to  our 
spirits,  ever  since  we  heard  of  ye  glorious  appearances  of  the  di- 
vine nature  in  you,  which  manifests  itself  thorow  your  love  which 
you  have  to  all  saints,  and  particularly  towards  us.  We  desire 
to  admire  the  goodness  of  our  God  in  it,  that  we,  who  are  less 
than  the  least  of  all  saints,  should  have  favour  given  us,  in  yf  eyes 
whom  God  hath  so  highly  honoured,  and  sett  in  a  place  of  such 
eminency.  Whiles  yt  or  sometimes  precious  (but  now  deluded)  bro- 
ther, Mr.  Edd.  Hickorngill,  continued  his  stedfastuess;  Oh  how 
welcome  were  his  letters  to  us,  and  caused  many  thanksgivings  by 
us  unto  our  God,  in  yr  behalf;  when,  in  them,  was  made  known 
unto  us,  ye  interest  you  were  pleased  to  vouchsafe  him  in  your  fa- 
vour, and  not  only  him,  but  even  this  whole  church.  For  whom 
we  not  only  give  thanks,  but  also  for  our  Brother  Charles  Bond, 

D  3 


42  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

•whose  bowels  you  have  sweetly  refreshed,  taking  (him)  (as  we. 
heare)  into  a  family"  relation  to  you.  But  most  especially,  that 
we  be  not  tedious  unto  you,  wee  desire,  with  all  thankfulnesse,  to . 
acknowledge  your  continuing  love  to  us,  in  your  courteous  and  re- 
spective entertainment,  of  ye  bearer  hereof,  or  dearly  beloved  Bro- 
ther, Mr.  Thomas  Stackhouse,  who  upon  his  return  to  us  made 
known,  y1'  sweet  and  gracious  deportment  toward  him,  and  y  lovr 
ing  invitation  of  him  that  he  would  come  unto  you.  We  have 
therefore  (having  first  sought  ye  face  of  or  Father  thorow  prayer 
being  assembled  in  one  (place)  with  or  consent,  sent  him,  and  by 
this  our  epistle  commend  him  unto  you,  and  desire,  you  would  own 
him,  as  one,  whom  we  have  in  high  repute,  for  the  gracious  ap- 
pearances of  God  which  we  have  seen  in  him,  and  of  whom  we 
have  this  confidence,  that  he  will  approve  himself  both  to  God  and 
his  people,  such  an  one  as  we  would.  Now  ye  Father  of  mercies, 
and  God  of  or  comforts,  who  hath  given  us  so  great  consolation 
thorow  y  bowells  of  love,  return  into  yor  bosome  sevenfold,  that 
you  may  be  comforted  of  God,  in  what  hour  soever  you  shall  stand 
most  need  of  it ;  and  this  confidence  have  we  in  our  King,  that 
since  he  hath  promised  that  he  will  not  let  a  cup  of  cold  water 
given  to  one  that  belongs  to  him,  goe  unrewarded,  surely  he  will 
not  forget  those  refreshings  wherewith  you  have  exceedingly  made 
glad  the  spirits  of  those  who  cease  not  to  make  mention  of  y  Hon"". 
in  their  prayers.* 

i7        ^1.      i       i     !•  ~\   Edward  Browell,  Henry  Aneas, 

-bromthe  church  of   I    „,-.  ,     ,   .    ,  m,      ^,.,1 

.-,,.,  , ,   ,  Michael  Aydon,  Tho.  Tillam, 

Christ  assembled  at    I    T  ,      ~  ,  J       '  o .     ,        A    j    . 

•a-     i.         M*  T->    f   r Jonn  Orde,  Stephen  Anderton, 

?     V  ^  °f   I  John  Thirlwall,      Tho.  Ogle, 
ye  4  month,  1653.      J   Bichard  Orde,         John  cfarnaby." 

*  Major  General  Robert  Lilburne  was  the  elder  son  of  Richard  Lilburne, 
Esq.,  of  Thickley  Puncbardon,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Bishop  Auckland. 
He  was  born  at  his  father's  estate,  in  1613.  During  the  great  civil  war,  he 
took  part  with  the  Parliament,  and  held  an  important  station  in  the  army. 
In  the  year  1647,  he  was  appointed  governor  of  Newcastle-upon-Tyne,  and 
in  the  end  of  the  following  year  he  sat  as  one  of  the  judges  on  the  trial  of 
the  King,  and  was  one  of  those  who  signed  the  warrant  for  his  execution. 
It  is  probable,  that  soon  after  this,  he  became  a  Baptist.  As  mentioned,  on 
the  removal  of  Monk  and  Deane  to  the  Fleet,  he  was  invested  with  the  chief 
command  in  Scotland,  in  1653.  In  1654,  he  was  elected,  along  with  his  rela- 
tive George  Lilburne,  of  Sunderland,  to  represent  the  county  of  Durham. 
In  the  last  year  of  the  Commonwealth,  1659,  he  represented  Malton.  On  the 
Restoration,  he  was  tried'  as  a  regicide,  and  offered  no  defence.  He  was 
banished  to  the  island  of  St>  Xicholas,  near  Plymouth,  where  he  died,  in 
1665,  in  the  52nd  year  of  his  age.  His  brother  John,  famous  for  his  turbu- 
lent existence,  .died  in  the  year  1657. 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  43. 

In  the  preceeding  narrative  of  the  Baptists  in  Scot- 
land, at  this  period,  we  have  attempted  to  bring  into 
a  focus,  all  the  information  we  can  find  in  the  archives 
of  the  church  at  Hexham,  together  with  the  other  feeble 
glimmering  of  light  to  be  found  in  other  quarters,  tend- 
ing to  ill  ustrate  it.  The  period  of  the  soj  ourn  of  the  Eng- 
lish army  in  Scotland,  was  from  September,  1650,  after 
the  battle  of  Dunbar,  till  they  left  Edinburgh,  on  the 
18th  November,  1659,  and  passed  the  Tweed  at  Cold- 
stream,  1st  January,  1660,  led  by  Monk,  to  the  re-esta- 
blishment of  the  Stuart  family  on  the  throne  of  Britain. 
From  1653,  the  period  of  our  narrative,  to  their  leaving 
the  Scottish  soil,  the  Baptists  in  the  army  would,  doubt- 
less, to  the  utmost  of  their  power,  exert  themselves  to 
propagate  their  principles.  Monk,  indeed,  did  all  he 
could  to  repress  them.  All  that  Presbyterian  zeal  and 
literature  could  effect  against  them,  was  put  forth, 
under  the  guidance  of  the  distinguished  Dr.  Samuel 
Rutherford,  Hugh  Binning,  and  others ;  but  they  still 
persevered.  We  have  scarcely  any  account,  however, 
of  the  extent  of  their  success,  but  the  Baptists  in  and 
around  Edinburgh  are  said  to  have  promoted  "a  peti- 
tion for  universal  toleration  to  all  Scots,  except  Papists 
and  prelatists."  This  was  in  1659,  the  last  year  they 
were  in  the  country.  As  no  traces  of  Baptist  churches 
are  to  be  found  in  the  annals  of  Scottish  ecclesiastical 
history  at  this  time,  or  long  afterwards,  it  is  probable 
that  but  a  very  partial  impression  had  been  made  on 
the  natives  of  the  country,  relative  to  the  embracing  of 
Baptist  principles. 


44  HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Correspondence  between  Baptist  Churches. — Letter  from  Cole- 
man-street. — From  the  "Western  Association — From  Swan- 
alley. — Mr.  Henry  Jessey. — Marriage  Record. — Troubles  at 
Hexham  and  Newcastle.— Letter  to  Swan-alley. — To  Leomin- 
ster. — Mr.  Tillam  goes  to  London  and  Cheshire. — Letter  from 
Mr.  Tillam.— From  "W.arrington ;  Hill  Cliffe.— Letters.— New- 
castle and  Hexham. — Elizabeth  Eeslop. — Letter  to  Sir  Thomas 
Liddell;  Lady  Liddell.— Troubles — Mr.  Tillam  leaves  Hex- 
ham.— His  Works. — Character.-^-Mr.  Gower. 

1653. — By  the  middle  of  the  year  1653,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  dispersion  of  the  army  of  the  Com- 
monwealth throughout  England,  "Wales,  Ireland,  and 
Scotland,  Baptist  principles  were  considerably  diffiised, 
and  attempts  were  made  to  maintain  a  close  communi- 
cation between  the  different  churches,  however  widely 
scattered. 

It  was  with  a  view  to  this  object,  that  the  church 
in  Coleman-street,  under  Mr.  Hanserd  Knollys,  of 
which  church  Mr.  Tillam  had  been  the  messenger  and 
evangelist  to  the  north;  the  church  in  Swan-alley, 
under  Mr.  Henry  Jessey;  and  the  church  in  Black- 
friars,  under  Mr.  John  Simpson ;  unitedly  sent  a  letter 
to  the  church  at  Hexham,  inviting  them  .to  greater  in- 
timacy and  brotherly  communion.  An  immediate  an- 
swer to  this  letter  does  not  appear  to  have  been  sent ; 
but  the  receipt  of  the  letter  had  been  acknowledged  by 
Mr.  Tillam,  in  a  letter  he  wrote  on  the  26th  July,  to 
Mr.  Tombes,  of  Bewdley,  in  Herefordshire.  On  the  3rd 
of  September,  a  letter  was  sent  to  the  church  in  Cole- 
man-street, under  Mr.  Knollys,  to  which  they  had  a 


IN  THE  NOETH  OF  ENGLAND.  45 

reply,  dated  the  27th  of  the  same  month,  which  throws 
some  light  on  the  subjects  of  controversy  between  the 
churches  of  Newcastle  and  Hexham.  From  this  letter 
we  give  the  following  extract: — 

•  •  •  •  •  "Beloved  brethren,  these  may  also  give  you  to 
understand  yt  -we  read  yor  letter,  dated  the  3d  of  this  instant,  y* 
which  was  very  wellcome  to  us,  not  only  for  hearing  of  yoar 
affairs  in  ye  appearance  of  ye  Lord  amongst  you,  for  ye  which  we 
have  cause  to  rejoice  in  or  God,  and  give  thanks  to  or  father,'  as  it 
is  meet  for  us  so  to  doe,  because  we  hear  of  the  groth  of  y"1  faith 
and  that  your  love  to  each  other  ahoundeth,  wee  desire  allso  to 
glory  in  or  God,  for  the  patience  and  faith.in  all  the  persecutions 
anii'tribulations  that  you  doe  and  have  endured  yt  you  might  he 
counted,  through  grace,  worthy  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  for  which 
yon  suffer,  being  not  ashamed  of  the  testimony  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
you  therefore  are  partakers  of  ye  afflictions  of  ye  gospel. 

"  We  rejoiced  allso,  in  yt  you  endeavoured  to  answer  those  par- 
ticular objections,  that  or  brethren  at  Newcastle  had  against  you, 
that  thereby,  if  ye  Lord  please,  we  may  allso  endeavour  to  satisfie 
them.  To  that  end,  we  have  written  a  letter  to  them,  wherein, 
we  have  given  to  them  a  copy  of  ye  answers  for  their  objections, 
in  ye  which,  we  are  satisfied.  Only  this,  we  see  no  clear  rule, 
nor  example  for  ye  presenting  of  little  children  in  or  arms  to  Christ 
for  a  blessing,  though  it  be,  we  confess  our  dutie  to  pray  for  them, 
yt  the  Lord  would  bless  them.  •  But  in  your  expressions,  wee  un- 
derstand that,  through  grace,  you  would  not  goe  beyond  rule  nor 
come  short  therein,  which  gives  occasion  to  hope,  that  you  will 
goe  no  further  therein  than  rule  will  lead  you  unto.  And  then,  we 
doubt  not,  but  we  and  or  brethren,  shall  be  one  with  you. 

"  As  concerning  the  ministry  by  which  many  of  us,  through  grace, 
have  been  converted,  and  if  so,  let  us  bless  God  for  it,  whoever  he 
was  pleased  to  make  instrumental  therein,  and  leave  them  to  stand 
or  fall  to  their  Master.  We  speak  this  the  rather,  that  this  might 
remove,  and  not  cause  discord  amongst  brethren,  because  we  are 
not  much  concerned  in  it,  whether  they  are  the  ministers  of  Christ 
or  noe. 

"But  as  to  our  brother  Kaye,  whom,  as  we  understand,  being 
chosen  by  mutual  consent  of  the  church  of  Xt,  according  to  the  order 
of  the  gospel,  to  be  their  minister,  being  fitted  by  the  Lord  thereto, 
we  dare  not  but  owne  him  as  a  minister  of  Xt,  and  so  will  our 


46  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

brethren  allso,  wee  hope,  at  Newcastle,  if  .they  see  no  clear  ground 
to  the  contrary. 

"  As  for  singing  of  Psalms,  with  the  world,  that  is,  with  the  mul- 
titude where  you  meete,  that  as  you  have  borne  testimony  against 
it,  so  you  would  shune  the  appearance  of  it,  from  ye  first  to  ye  last. 
We  write  it  to  take  off  all  occasions  of  offence,  yt  through  grace, 
you  yt  have  received  grace  from  Xt,  may  so  walke  in  him,  that  you 
may  be  perfectly  joyned  togeather,  in  one  mind  and  in  one  judg- 
ment, according  to  the  mind  of  Xt.  yt  you  may  be  at  peace  among 
yourselves,  and  then,  the  God  of  peace,  will  be  wt  you.  We  have 
desired  in  or  letters  to  or  brethren  at  Newcastle,  yt  they  would 
give  you  .a  meeting,  and,  that  you  would  speak  togeather  face  to 
face,  and  the  like,  we  shall  earnestly  desire  of  you  to  give  them  a 
meeting ;  and  if  so,  we  desire  that  nothing  be  done  through  strife 
or  vain  glory,  but  in  all  lowliness  of  mind,  each  esteeming  other 
better  than  themselves,  and  let  this  mind  be  in  you,  yt  was  in  Je- 
sus Xt,  2  Phil.  vi.  7,  8,  and  wee  doe  yt  more  earnestly  intreat  you 
to  have  some  conference  with  them  yt,  if  the  will  of  the  Lord  be, 
you  may  remove  all  difference  and  divisions  amongst  you,  that 
every  high  thing  in  any  of  you,  that  exalteth  itself  ag«t  the  know- 
ledge of  God,  may  be  cast  downe,  and  that  all  may  be  brought  into 
captivity  to  ye  obedience  of  Xt,  yt  Xt  may  be  all  and  in  all  to  you 
and  amongst  you.* 

"  It  hath  pleased  the  Lord,  we  hope,  to  put  into  the  heart  of  the 
churches  of  London,  that  there  might  be  more  knowledge  taken  of 
all  the  churches  of  Christ  in  ye  nation,  whereby  they  may  ye  better 
know,  how  to  owne  them,  and  demeane  themselves  to  each  other  up- 
on all  occasions,  confirming  their  love  to  each  other,  that  they  may 
serve  one  another  in  love,  as  becometh  saints,  and,  therefore,  it 
would  much  sadden  or  spirits  if  there  should  be  any  occasion,  given 
or  taken,  amongst  you,  yt  you  might  not  be  upon  the  hearts  of  the 
churches  in  owning  you  as  other  churches.  But  if  the  Lord  please 
to  make  us  one,  we  hope  it  will  be  much  refreshing,  and  rejoice 
our  spirits.  We  would  allso  advise  you,  if  you  think  meete,  yt  our 

•  A  meeting  had  already  taken  place  on  16th  of  6  mo.  (Aug.)  probably  the 
result  of  the  letter  sent  from  the  chuicb  at  Coleman-stieet  to  the  chuich  at 
Newcastle,  as  referred  to  in  the  above  letter.  Hence,  it  is  said  to  have  taken 
place  by  order  of  the  London  and  Newcastle  churches.  The  deputation  con- 
sisted of  "Capt.  Sympson  and  Capt.  Mason,  with  Br-  JBlenkensop,"  and, 
"  they  hearing  of  our  constitution  and  condition,  sweetly  and  lovingly  owned 
us.  as  their  brethren,  which  was  farre  from  the  nigged  aud  unbrotherly  car. 
riage  of  Mr.  Gower,"  8sc. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  4? 

Br.  Kaye  with  some  of  the  brethren  there,  may  be  at  your  meet- 
ing, that  so  their  state  may  be  more  fully  known  to  or  bren  at 
N.  C.  that  if  they  may  understand,  that  both  you,  and  them,  are 
churches  constituted  according  to  ye  gospel  of  Xt.  we  doubt  not, 
they  will  be  satisfied  therein,  and  we  shall  be  certified  thereof, 
sudainly  by  them,  the  which  will  give  an  occasion  to  glory  in  or 
God  and  to  be  more  intimate  in  or  hearts  with  each  other.  We 
desire  to  salute  or  brethren  at  Stokesley,  praying  for  you  all,  that 
whatever  you  have  heard  and  received  from  the  Lord  Jesus,  you 
may  hold  it  forth,  and  hold  it  fast,  till  he  come.  In  the  meantime, 
the  Lord  make  you  pfect  in  every  good  worke  to  doe  his  will,  'and 
worke  in  you  that  wch  is  well-pleasing  in  his  sight,  and  confirm 
you  therein  to  the  end  yt  you  may  be  blameless  in  the  day  of  or 
Lord  Jesus.  Farewell  in  the  Lord. 

Your  brethren  in  ye  truths  of  Christ. 

-rxr     ,    „   -,    .    "I  W'  Howard»  John  Perry,    Elder t. 

We  shall  desire  |  Tm .  CamfieldSj  wm>  Jeimi 

to  -heare  of  ye  re-  I  T  i.    -n  m-,      -•        -,       . 

J  ).  John  Posser,  Theodore  Jennings, 

ceite  hereof,    with  ,  Wm>  Spierj  j  ^ 

all  convemency     J  ^  Buttivant>  John  Watson>,, 

The  feeling  expressed  on  the  part  of  the  London 
churches,  referred  to  in  this  letter,  for  union  with  'the 
churches  in  the  provinces,  had  heen  experienced  simul- 
taneously with  the  feelings  of  the  brethren  in  the  west 
of  England  and  "Wales,  on  the  same  subject.  In  "Wales 
an  association  is  said  to  have  been  formed  in  1650,  by 
the  Baptist  churches  in  Ilston,  Slanafan,  Hay,  and  Ol- 
chor;  and  just  a  little  before  the  present  period  of  our 
narrative,  a  number  of  churches  in  Herefordshire,  Glou- 
cestershire, Monmouthshire,  "Worcestershire,  and  Lon- 
don, united  in  corresponding  with  the  other  churches 
in  England.  A  specimen  of  this  correspondence  we  have 
in  their  letter  to  the  church  at  Hexham.  It  was  sent 
from  tjb.e  churches  in  the  west,  to  the  church  in  Swan- 
alley,  Coleman-street,  London,  then  under  the  care  of  Mr. 
Henry  Jessey,  and  forwarded  by  Mr.  Jessey  and  his  peo- 


48  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

pie  to  the  church  at  Hexham,  2d  8th  month,  (October) 
1653.  It  evinces  the  deep  interest  the  churches  took 
in  each  other  at  that  time,  and  is  well  worthy  of  pre- 
servation and  perusal. 

"  To  the  Church  of  Christ  at  Hexham. 

"DEARLY  BELOVED  BRETHREN  IN  OUR  LORD  CHRIST, 

"  We  salute  you  in  the  Lord,  praying  for  the  multiplying  of  grace 
and  peace  upon  you  from  God  ye  father  of  o*  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
The  report  of  .the  works  of  God  in  you,  and  for  you,  in  persuading 
your  hearts  to  ohey  his  will,  in  being  baptized  into  the  name  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  while  many,  in  all  places,  endeavour  to  deter  peo- 
ple from  ye  embracing  the  plain  precept  of  Christ,  and  by  all  sorts 
of  arts,  seek  to  darken  the  truth,  and  continue  ye  pphane  abuse 
of  infant  sprinkling  upon  superstitious  and  Judaizing  grounds,  by 
which  the  reformation  of  the  churches  is  hindered,  and  not  only 
BO,  but,  that  he  hatk  kept  you,  from  those  errors  of  universal 
grace,  sufficient,  but  becoming  effectual  by  the  motion  of  man's  will, 
not  determined  by  God,  and  such  other  errors  that  corrupt  other 
baptized  people.  And  that  he  timely  disproved  the  counterfeit  Jew, 
who  was  likely,  either  to  have  corrupted  you,  or  brought  you  unto  ob- 
loquy. And  the  keeping  you  (as  we  hope)  unspotted  from  the  world , 
hath  filled  our  hearts  with  joy,  and  enlarged  our  hearts  in  thanks- 
giving, and,  so  much  the  rather,  because,  we  hope,  that  from  you, 
the  truth  of  God  may  spread  farther,  and  that,  your  holy  conver- 
sation may  provoke  those  that  are  yet  averse  from  the  right  ways 
of  the  Lord,  in  wch  you  walk,  to  consider  their  wayes  and  enquire 
after  the  mind  of  the  Lord,  earnestly.  And,  for  all  wch  reasons,  and 
that  there  might  be  a  holy  union  and  correspondence  held,  between 
us,  and  you,  as  those  that  are  members  of  one  body  and  one  spirit, 
are  called  in  one  hope  of  or  calling,  have  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one 
baptism,  &c.,  have  judged  it  our  duty  to  write  unto  you,  that 
we  might  congratulate  with  you,  for  the  mercy  and  grace  of  God 
vouchsafed  to  you,  and  assure  you  of  o*  readiness  to  assist  you,  in 
anything,  that  may  tend  to  your  edification,  and  to  concur  with 
you  in  any  worke  whereby  the  kingdom  of  Christ  may  be  advanced 
and  the  opposite  dominions  of  what  sort  soever  may  be  depressed. 

"  As  for  ourselves,  though  we  are  confident  yt  he  who  hath,begun 
ye  good  work  will  perfect  it,  &c.,  yet  being  sensible  yt  you  have 
potent  adversaries,  who  will  endeavour,  with  all  cunning  and  vio- 


:      IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  f    49 

fence,  to  cast  you  down  to  the   earth,  that  you  may  lose  your 
crowne,  we  think  it  safe  for  you  to  be  exhorted  to  look  to  your 
garments,  that  they  he  kept  clean,  yt  you  may  be  the  sons  of  God ; 
without  rebuke,  &c.,  and  because  yr  steadfastnesse  will  rest  much, 
on  yr  order  and  unity,  we  beseech  you  to  mark  them  that  cause 
divisions  and  offences  contrary  to  the  doctrine  you  have  received, 
and  avoid  them.    And  that  you  ob'ey  them  that  are  over  you  in  the 
Lord  who  watch  for  your  souls  as  &c.    Whatever  difference  may 
arise,  labour  to  compose  it  among  yourselves  to  keep  the  unity  of 
the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace.  Let  nothing  be  done  through  strife 
or  vain  glory,  Sec.    Love  and  humility  will  help  much  to  unity. 
Take  heed  of  lightnesse  and  inconstancy.    If  any  have  private 
opinions  let  them  not  be  devulged,  but  each  one  seeke  privately  in- 
formation of  their  teachers,  or  such  as  are  most  able,  and  not  zeal- 
ously promote  them,  without  regard  to  the  churches'  peace.    Let 
every  one  study  to  be  quiet  and  to  doe  his  own  businesse,  remem- 
bering that  as  in  one  body  all  members  have  not  the  same  office, 
so  it  is  in  the  church,  and  therefore  each  member  is  to  keep  his 
owne  place,  and  therein  abide  with  God. 

"  Brethren,  if  it  had  seemed  good  to  the  Lord  we  should  have 
been  glad,  if  our  dwelling  had  been  nearer,  that  we  might  have 
visited  you  in  person,  but  the  Lord  otherwise  ordering  it,  we  have 
contented  ourselves  only  at  this  tyme  to  signifie  our  mind  to  you 
by  writing,  hoping  to  heare  from  you,  of  the  grace  of  God  to 
you,  in  preserving  aud  increasing  in  you,  ye  knowledge  of  Xt.  and 
love  of  God  unto  eternal  life.  We  farther  signifie  to  you  our  long- 
ing to  have  with  you  and  all  the  baptized  churches  y  t  hold  ye  faith 
purely,  such  communion  as  yl  we  may  by  letters,  or  messengers, 
in  some  meeting  or  meetings,  communicate  to  each  other,  our 
knowledge  for  ye  certifying  of  each  other,  and  retayning  of  con- 
sent of  doctrine,  among  the  churches.  And  we  further  desire, 
there  maybe  some  certain  way,  of  approving  and  sending  teachers 
from  the  churches,  and  of  signifying  to  all  the  churches  of  or  com- 
munion, who  are  approved  or  who  are  disallowed  as  teachers,  or 
in  case  of  the  removal,  as  brethren,  that  ye  churches  of  God  may 
not  be  deceived,  by  such  imposters  as  the  counterfeit  Jew  with  you; 
and  that  popish  and  other  devillish  practices,  to  divide  or  corrupt 
them,  may  be  prevented,  though  we  hope  the  pastors  in  every 
church  will  be  very  watchful  in  this  thing.-  For  present  we 
have  no  more  to  write  you,- but  to  intreat  your  prayers 'for  us,  and 
we  for  yon,  yt  you  may  stand  complete  in  all  the  will  of  God,  to 

E 


60  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUBCHES 

whose  tuition  we  commend  you,  and  remaine,  your  strongly  en- 
chained brethren  in  the  bond  of  perfectnesae  —  ye  unfeigned  love  of 
you  in  the  Lord. 

In  the  name  and  for  the  church  at  Weston-under-Penniard,  in 

Herefordshire, 
John  Skinner,  Teacher. 
John  Street,  John  Skinner,  Thomas  Rudge,  Brethren. 

In  the  name  of  the  church  meeting  at  Abergaening,  (or  Aber- 

gavenny,)  Monmouthshire, 
William  Pritchard,  Elder. 
Richard  Rogers,  Anthony  Hare,  Brethren. 

In  the  name  and  for  the  church  baptized  in  the  Forest  of  Deane 

in  the  County  of  Gloucester. 
Will.  Skinue  and  John  Mills,  Elders.  Francis  Pobb. 

•  In  the  name  and  for  the  church  meeting  in  Coleman  Street, 
Swan  Alley,  London,  (it  coming,  to  us)  2d  of  ye 
8th  month,  1653, 

Henry  Jessey,  Teacher.  • 

John  Bagget,  George  Waddle,  Brethren. 

In  the  name  and  for  the  church  at  Lintile,  in  Herefordshire, 
John  Tombes,  Pastor. 
John  Patchale,  John  Wamklen,  Eld". 

In  ye  name  and  for  ye  church  at  Beaudly,  in  Worcestershire, 
Thos.  Bolstonne,.  Phillip  Mun,  Robt.  Girdlad,  Eld». 

In  the  name  and  for  ye  church  at  Netherton,  Glour-shire, 
Richd.  Harrison,  Paule  Frum,  Will.  Drew,  Eld». 

In  the  name  and  for  ye  church,  in  ye  citie  of  Hereford, 
R.  London,  Cha.  Powell,  Steven  Chamberlain. 

In  the  name  and  for  the  church  at  Wormbredy, 
John  Bell." 


"TChe  messengers  from  this  o»  church,  and  that  w*h  ot  bro.  H. 
Knollys,  and  from  Mr.  John  Simpson  and  others,  meeting  at 
Blackfriars^  wrote  a  large  letter  to  you,  many  weeks  since, 

;  about  a  nearer  communion,  and  proyofcing  to  pray  for  the  out- 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  61 

pouring  of  the  Spirit,  and  for  furnishing  ministry,  magistracy, 
&c.;  but  we  received  no  answer  back  though  you  seem  to  say 
that  you  received  that  letter,  in  your  letter  written  hy  Mr. 
.Thomas  Tillam  to  Mr.  Tomhes,  dated  ye  5*U  month,  26,  1653/' 

At  the  time  that  this  letter  was  sent  to  the  church  at 
Hexham,  Mr.  Jessey  and  his  people  at  Swan-alley, 
Coleman-street,  took  the  opportunity  of  sending  them  a 
private  letter  of  Christian  friendship.  It  bears  the 
same  date  with  the  other,  2d  d.  8  m.,  or  Oct.,  1653. 

"  To  our  beloved  brethren  and  sisters,  the  Church  of  God, 
meeting  at  Hexham. 

"Faith  working  by  love  be  increased  through  the  good  know- 
ledge of  God  our  Father,  and  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"  Dearly  beloved,  it  was  matter  of  joy  to  us,  that  by  a  hand  of 
Providence,  this  larger  letr.  from  churches  in  Herefordshire,  with, 
whom  we  have  communion,  was  sent  to  one  of  us,  to  be  sent  to  you, 
wherein  we  doe  severally  accord,  our  hearts  joining  folly  in  the 
contents  thereof,  rejoicing  to  behold  of  late  this  good  spirit  that 
dwells  in  the  churches  (which  are  his  temples)  so  uniting  and  knit- 
ting them  together,  in  the  bond  of  love,  and  so  seeking  to  enjoy, 
more  communion  together,  amongst  such  as  are  sound  in  ye  faith, 
and  that  desire  to  walke  as  becomes  the  gospel. 

"  And  much  refreshing  hath  or  gracious  God  afforded  to  our 
spirits  lately,  at  the  return  of  a  messenger  and  teacher  of  of,  and  of 
another,  of  the  church  meeting  at  Great  All-hallows,  London,  (of 
which  church  200  have  been  baptized  within  these  3  years)  who 
were  sent  to  visit  the  chs.  nearer  us,  than  you,  in  the  counties  of  Es- 
sex, Suffolk,  and  Norfolk,  and  to  understand  their  way  and  order, 
and  to  further  love  amongst  them  all,  that  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
in  sincerity  and  communion  with  them.  Who  returning  have 
related  to  us  wh  what  sweetness  in  love  and  heart  meltings  in.. 
beholding  the  Lord's  love  to  them  herein,  they  were  received  in 
the  Lord  by  several  churches,  about  ten  in  Essex,  as  many  in 
Suffolk,  and  as  many  in  Norfolk,  sound  in  the  faith,  and  holy  in 
life,  though  differing  with  aome,  about  the  subject  and  manner  of  the 
ordinance  of  Baptism,  or  some  about  such  laying  on  of  hands,  or 
blessing  children,  or  singing  psalms,  or  hymns,  or  spiritual 

E2 


52  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

as  they  were  advised  by  those  messengers.  And  though  every 
truth  is  good,  yet,  we  desire  that  in  churches,  all  truths  be  ma- 
naged, in  the  wisdom  of  the  Spirit  and  in  all  love,  considering  1st 
Cor.-xiii.  1 — 8,  Romans  xiv.  xv.,  and  Eph.  iv. 

"  We  are  not  wanting  to  propound  these  6  things,  that  should 
once  be  laid  down,  that  are  spoke  of  Heb.  vi.  1,  2,  and  we  en- 
deavour to  inform  all  therein  yt  we  iudge  faithful,  being  pro- 
pounded to  us.  But  if  some  cannot  receive  what  is  held  out  about 
Baptisme,  laying  on  of  hands,  or  singing,  &c.,  and  yet  shew  forth 
teachablenesse  and  peaceablenesse,  we  dare  not  exclude  such, 
from  this  visible  kingdom  of  God  merely  for  weaknesse'  sake.  Some 
grounds  for  such  practice  are  laid  down  in  that  book  called  "  A 
Store-house."*  If  any  of  us  be  otherwise  minded,  we  are  to  waite 
in  God's  way,  until  he  shall  reveal  some  thing.  If  herein  we  are 
not  satisfied  as  we  are,  we  shall  be  glad  if  there  be  mutual  help 
herein,  or  els,  so  farre  as  wee  have  attained  let  us  mind  ye  same 
things,  and  be  as  helpful  to  each  other  as  we  can.  By  what  we 
have  heard  of  you,  we  judge  you  are  a  church  of  Christ,  wth  wch  he 
hath  communion,  and  therefore,  we  are  willing  to  have  commu- 
nion wth  you  as  occasions  may  be,  and  wee  do  intreat  you  to  seek 
ye:face  of  ye  Lord  in  our  behalf,  yt  we  may  walk  worthy  in  all 
pleasing,  so  as  to  glorify  his  name,  and  to  give  no  just  occasion 
of  offence  to  Jew  or  Gentile,  to  one  or  other,  and  we  hope  that 
herein  allso  we  shall  be  mindful  of  you.  .  Being 

Your  loving  bre:  and  fellow  servants,  and 

fellow  heirs,  though  most  unworthy, 

IHenrie  Jessey,  "j 
George  Barret,  j  Teachers« 
Matt.  Strange,  ^ 

ing  at  Swan-alley,          George  Ware,  lBre;, 
Coleman-street.                Tho.  Shefold, 


•  *  A  work  written  by  Mr.  H.  Jessey.  Mr.  Jessey  was  born  at  West  Kow- 
ton,  N.B..  Yorkshire.  He  was  ordained  in  the  Establishment  in  1627.  He 
became  a  Dissenter  in  1634,  and  left  his  charge  at  Aughton,  Yorkshire.  He 
•was  solicited  to  take  the  charge  of  the  Independent  Church,  formed  by  Mr. 
Jacob  in  1614,  which  he  did  in  1637.  He  was  baptized  by  Mr.  H.  Knollys, 
in  1645.  During  the  Commonwealth  he  was  Hector  of  St.  George's,  South- 
wark  ;  but  was  ejected  in  1662.  He  was  a  very  learned,  pious,  laborious, 
and  liberal  man,  but  much  persecuted  and  imprisoned.  He  died  4  Sep., 
1663,  aged  63. 


-.-    IN  THE  NOBTH  OF. ENGLAND.    -<:  53 

. "  Answers  to  both  these  letters  were  sent  by  the  church. 
of'Hexham,  but  owing  to  the  troubles  in  which  Mr. 
Tillam  felt  himself  involved,  by  the  conduct  of  Mr_ 
Gower  of  Newcastle,  he  delayed  the  replies  till  the  be- 
ginning of  1654. 

In  the  meantime,  Mr.  Tillam  was  called  to  unite  two 
of  the  members  of  the  church  in  holy  matrimony.  The 
union  of  believers  only,  in  this  relation,  has  been  the 
general  opinion  and  practice  of  the  Baptist  churches. 
This  was  especially  the  case  at  this  period.  As  to  the 
mode,  it  seems  to  have  been  of  the  simplest  character. 
Nothing  is  said  of  preliminary  banns — though  it  is  pro- 
bable these  were  not  dispensed  with — there  is  only  a 
short  record  of  the  matter  in  the  church-book,  signed 
by  a  few  witnesses.  The  record  runs  to  the  following 
effect. 

"  These  are  to  declare,  to  all  to  whom  it  may  concern,  that  An- 
thony Hunter  of  Holmsterly,  in  the -parish  of  Medomsley,  and 
Ellinor  Labbourne  his  wife,  of  the  said  parish,  were  marryed  upon 
the  13'h  day  of  November,  1653,  being  the  Lord's  day,  in  the  house 
of  Mr.  Thomas  Tillam,  minister  of  Hexham,  before  us  whose 
names  are  here  underwritten  as  witnesses  of  the  said  marriage.  • 

P.  Hobson,  Jane  Rookby, 

Edward  Steanerson,  Jane  Tillam, 

his  S  marke,  Rob.  Selbie, 

Edward  Croser,  John  Shouellar." 
Alice  Swann, 

About  a  fortnight  or  three  weeks  after  this  marriage 
had  taken  place,  we  find  Mr.  Gower,  of  Newcastle,  pur- 
suing Mr.  Tillam  with  a  vindictiveness,  which  has  too 
much  the  appearance  of  personal  enmity.  The  original 
spring  of  such  determined  opposition,  we  have  not  the 
means  of  even  conjecturing,  but  it  is  clear  to  perceive 
that  whatever  failings  there  might  attach  to  Mr.  Til- 
lam, they  were  pursued  with  a  rigour  and  bitterness, 

E3 


£4  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

quite  inimical  to  the  mild  and  forbearing  temper  incul- 
cated by  the  gospel  of  Jesus.  In  the  church-book  there 
is,  at  this  period,  the  following  notice  of  this  affair : — 

"The  beginning  of  the  10th  m.  (Deer.)  1653,  a  charge  came 
from  the  church  at  Newcastle  to  the  brethren  at  Derwent  Side, 
consisting  of  12  Articles  against  Mr.  Tillam,  wherein  manifestly 
appeared  a  subtile  design  to  breake,  or  divide,  the  church  of  Hex- 
ham.  To  which,  the  person  concerned  returned — as  was  needful 
— a  speedy  answer  which  was  approved,  a  Christian,  sober  and 
faithful  answer,  and  such  as  they  did  hope,  would  amount  to  the 
.satisfaction  of  those,  that  follow  after  such  things  as  make  for  peace 
amongst  brethren,  and,  as  such,  it  was  subscribed  by  the  whole 
churche's  rfull  consent. 

John  Thirlwell,    1  Stephen  Anderton." 

JohnReadshaw,  /  Deacons,  &c. 

"  Notwithstanding  Mr.  Gower  laboured  with  the  church  at 
.London,  from  whom  Mr.  Tillam  was  a  messenger,  but  God  blasted 
all  his  endeavours,  and  wonderfully  preserved  the  integrity  of  his 
dispised  servant,  giving  him  still  a  large  roome  in  the  hearts  of 
his  people  of  that  Society.  Ever  praised  he  his  most  glorious 
name." 

In  this  manner  terminated  the  very  important  year  of 
1653,  one  of  the  most  eventful  and  useful  in  the  history 
of  this  infant  cause.  Thirty-eight  persons  had  been 
baptized  and  added  this  year,  and  the  ministry  of  Mr. 
Tillam  bade  fair  for  long-continued  and  extensive  use- 
fulness, had  it  not  been  for  this  lamentable  difference 
between  two  men  who,  of  all  the  men  in  the  North  of 
England,  ought  to  have  been  the  most  forbearing  and 
the  most  forgiving. 

1654. — During  the  first  three  months  of  1654  we  find 
no  entry  in  the  Hexham  church-book,  but  on  the  20th. 
2.  m.  (April)  the  following  letter  bearing  this  date  was 
written : 


IN  THE  NORffc  OF  ENGLAND.  55 

"  For  our  dearly  beloved  Brethren  and  Sisters  walking  in  com-, 
munion  wth  ye  Reverend  Mr.  Henry  Jessey,  in  Swan-alley, 
Coleman-streetj  London. 

"Grace  and  peace  be  shed  abundantly  upon  you,  by  the  Spirit, 
from  God  or  father,  and  from  ye  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"  Dearly  beloved  in  the  Lord, 

"It  hath  Been  several  times  upon  our  hearts,  to  return  an  an- 
swer to  your  gracious  Epistle,  sent  to  us  many  months  since,  but 
by  reason  of  some  who  seem  to  be  contentious,  wee;  have  hitherto 
been  hindered.  For  as  the  opposition  hath  been  great  wch  wee 
have  met  with  from  all  hands,  ever  since  wee  first  made  a  visible 
pfession  of  ye  despised  truths  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  so,  specially, 
those  conflicts  have  been  most  sad,  which  for  some  months  last 
past,  we  have  had  with  ye  brethren  of  a  neighbouring  church,  who 
pfesse  to  walke  by  the  same  rule  with  us.  A  spirit  of  rigidnesse 
doth  so  farre  sway  among  them,  yt  they  cannot  owne  us,  because 
we  can  owne  unbaptized  churches  and  ministers,  as  churches  of 
Xt,  and  ministers  of  Xt,  though  wee  doe  allso  judge,  in  those 
churches  and  ministers,  some  thing  as  to  order  wanting,  wcb  God, 
in  his  owne  time,  may  reveal  unto  them.  Although  from  others 
we  have  endured  cruel  buffetings,  yet  these  have  made  long  fur- 
rows upon  us.  Neither  yet  are  our  breaches  healed,  though  we 
waite  and  pray,  for  ye  healing  of  them. 

lt  But  our  thanksgivings  unto  our  God  are,  upon  every  remem- 
brance renewed  in  y  behalfe,  for  the  gracious  healing  frame  of 
spirit,  which  breathe  in,  and  throw,  yr  lines  to  us.  It  was  sweet, 
— refreshing  unto  our  spirits,  and  we  were  comforted  in  your  ioy 
to  hear  of  the  prosperity  of  Sion,  and  yt,  in  several  counties  ye 
standard  of  ye  Lord  Jesus  is  set  up,  and  many  there  be  y*  flock 
unto  it,  who  are  sound  in  ye  faith  and  holy  in  their  conversation. 

"  Holy  and  beloved  brethren,  our  desires  and  prayers  to  God  are 
that  we  may  be  one  with  all  those,  who  have  onion  with  the  Fa- 
ther and  y«  Son,  by  his  Spirit,  in  all  ye  ordinances  of  ye  gospel. 
As  to  the  deformities  w«h  are  found  in  ye  churches  of  ye  saints,  if 
but  merely  circumstantial,  we  desire  to  walk  by  the  same  rule 
with  you,  Phil.  iii.  15, 16,  and  as  many  as  walke  according  to  it> 
peace  shall  be  upon  them.  It  would  bee  exceedingly  for  our  con- 
solation if  (as  oft  as  God  shall  give  you  an  opportunity)  we  mar 
heare  of  yr  affairs,  and  of  every  designe  wch  God  shall  pot  Info 


56  HISTORY  OF  LTHE  BAPTIST. CHURCHES 

yours  hearts,  and  of  ye  rest  of  ye  precious  churches  of  Xt  neare 
Tinto  you,  for  ye  promoting  in  ye  world  ye  royall  interest  of  ye  Lord 
Jesus.  Finally,  brethren,  we  pray  for  you  and  desire  you  to  con- 
tinue in  prayer  for  us,  that  wee  may  be  kept  stedfast  and  unblame- 
able,  in  faith,  and  holiness,  always  abounding  in  ye  worke  of  our 
Mr.,  yt  at  his  coming  he  may  find  us  so  doing.  In  whom  wee,  • 

Yr  fellow  servants  and  companions, 
Tho.  Tillam,  Stephen  Anderton,  John,  Ward. 

.  Thomas  Ogle. 

Signed  by  ye  appoint-  Rowland  Harrison.  ; 

ment  of  ye  ChurchA  John  Thirlwell  , 

2nd,  aoth,  1654,          J  JohnRedshaW)  j  Deacons" 

Along  with  this  letter  there  seems  to  have  been  one 
sent  to  the  churches  in  Herefordshire,  &c.,  in  answer 
to  the  one  sent  to  the  church  at  Hexham,  through  the 
church  in  Swan-alley.  There  is  no  date  to  it,  hut  it 
stands  next  to  the  above  letter  in  the  church-hook. 
Delay  in  answering  is  equally  complained  of;  and  as 
they  were  requested  to  answer  the  epistle,  through  the 
same  medium  they  received  it,  so,  it  is  most  likely  to 
have  been  sent  along  with  the  above.  "We  give  the 
following  extract: 

"  To  the  Church  of  GodwcA  is  at  Lemster,  (Leominster)  with 
all  those  holy  societys,  walking  in  brotherly  communion  under 
ye  vigilant  guard  of  faithful  overseers. 

"Holy  and  beloved, — your  evangelical  epistle  many  months 
since  received  amongst  ns,  was  even  as  health  to  our  navel  and 

marrow  to  our  bones. And  as  we  desire  tinfeignedly  -to 

thank  God  for  that  eminent  worthy  in  our  Israel,*  so,  for  you  all, 

•  This  is  supposed  to  refer  to  Mr.  John  Tombes,  of  Bewdley,  &c.,  Here- 
fordshire. Mr.  Tombes  was  born  in  1603.  He  was  ordained  in  the  national 
church,.and  settled  at  Leominster,  about  1630.  About  1646,  he  was  baptized 
as  a  believer,  and  settled  at  his  native  place,  Bewdley.  He  was  one  of  the 
most  learned  men  of  his  day,  and  wrote  and  disputed  much  respecting  infant 
Baptism.  In  1653,  he  was  appointed  one  of  the  tryers  of  ministers,  by  Par- 
liament, and  held  his  living  of  Bewdley.  He  conformed  to  the  Church,-  as  a 
lay  communicant,  after  the  Restoration,  but  would  take  no  charge.  He  died, 
May  25, 1676,  aged  73.  Mr,. Tillam  and  he  were  very  friendly. 


:      -IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  5T 

in  beholding  the  blended  band  of  love,  so  firmly  fastened  about 
so  .many  pretious  congregations,  which  makes  you  so  amiable  in 
our  eyes,  as  in  the  eyes  of  him  whose  heart  yr  chain  has  ravished. 
[Here  they  refer  to  the  conduct  of  the  Newcastle  Church  in  terms 
much  the  same  as  in  the  letter  to  Swan-alley.]  But  now  as  God 
seems  to  inoderate  the  spirit  of  our  brethren,  and  hath  kept  us  sound 
in  ye  faith,  not  any  of  us  touched  with ytArminianpoy son  thathath 
so  .sadly  infected  other  Baptist  churches ;  only  those  deluded  soules 
called  Quakers,  have  been  very  active  in  those  parts,  and  have 
seduced  two  of  of  society  and  six  of  Newcastle  church.  And, 
now,  dearly  beloved,  having  truly  acquainted  you  with  .bur  state — 
we  being  about  seventy  persons — the  greater  number  men,  all  kept 
alive  from  ye  first  almost  two  years,  (until  now)." 

The  epistle  concludes  with  good  wishes,  and  is  signed 
only  by  Mr.  Tillam. 

Sometime  between  the  6th  and  28th  of  May,  Mr. 
Tillam  appears  to  have  gone  to  London,  and  to  have 
visited  other  churches.  We  give  an  extract  of  a  letter 
he  wrote  on  this  occasion,  as  evincing  the  several  usages 
of  the  Baptists  at  this  period. 

i         f    '  - . 

"My  dear  ones,  in" the  spirit  of  truth  and  love,  you  will  not 
surely  be  offended,  y*  the  hand  of  my  Father  hath  drawn  me  to 
ye  great  city,  to  obey  him  in  those  pretious  truths,  which  he 
pleased  to  make  known  unto  me,  and  which  he  hath  filled  "brim- 
full  of  mercy  in  ye  practice  of.  For  after  I  had  enjoyed  heavenly 
communion  wth  my  pretious  brethren  of  Cpleman  S'.,  and  had 'ac- 
quainted them  with  my  purpose  to  obey  Xt  in  ye  4th  principle, 
and  had  received  this  gratious  letter  to  ye  sis.  in  Cheshire,  from 
them,  I  departed  in  much  love,  to  ye  melting  of  my  hard  heart, 
and  having  found  many  congregations  in  ye  practice  of  the  ordi- 
nances I  wanted,  I  was,  by  a  blessed  hand,  guided  to  my  most 
heavenly  Br.  Doctor  Chamberlen,  one  of  ye  most  humble,  morti- 
fied soules,  for  a  man  of  parts,  yt  ever  I  yet  met  with,  in  whose 
sweet  society,  I  enjoyed  ye  blessing  of  my  God,  by  the  laying  on  of 
their  hands,  and  after  a  love  feast,  having  washed  one  another's 
feet,  we .  did  joyfully  break  bread,  and  concluded  with  an  hymn : 
in  all  wch  the  singular  majesty  of  Xt  shined  forth  to  ye  mighty 
conviction  of  some  choyse  spectators.  And  now,  what  am  I  to 
whom  God  should  make  known  his  truths  pfessed,  even  of  late  by 


58  HISTOEY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUBCHES 

same  of  his  eminent  servants,  and  amongst  ye  rest  by  Mr.  Tombea. 
Brethren  be  earnest  wth  God  that  I  may  walk  worthy  of  bis  mer.- 
cie  bestowed  upon  me,  and  that  I  may  have  a  prosperous  and 
speedy  returns  to  you  ;  and  God  is  my  witness,  how  greatly  I  long 

after  you  all  in  ye  bowels  of  Jesus  Xt. > — I  thank  and  heartily 

salute  you.  all.  Oh  that  you  could  embrace  it  as  ye  mind  of  Xt  to 
greete  one  another  with  a  holy  kisse.  Oh  how  amiable  is  it  in 
y«  churches  where  it  is  practised." 

There  is  no  date  to  this  letter,  but  it  is  probable,  that 
it  was  sent  to  Hexham  along  with  another,  that  at  this 
time  is  dated,  Warrington,  4  m. — June — 26*h  day,  1654. 
Mr.  Tillam,  in  the  above  letter,  mentions  his  having  re- 
ceived a  letter  from  the  church  at  Coleman-street,  to  the 
church  in  Cheshire.  It  seems,  as  already  intimated,  that 
this  was  the  ancient  church  of  Hill  Cliffe,  near  Warring- 
ton.  It  is  probable  that  some  of  the  members  lived  at 
Warrington,  and  that  the  church  at  Hill  Cliffe  had 
meetings  there.  It  is  known  that  they  were  a  zealous 
people,  as  they  afterwards  laid  the  foundation  of  a  church, 
in  Liverpool.  No  other  church  is  ever  referred  to  in 
Cheshire,  but  one,  and  as  Hill  Cliffe  is  very  ancient,  it 
seems  most  likely  to  have  been  it;  and  from  the  in- 
terest Mr.  Tillam  seems  always  to  have  taken  in  it, 
and  the  affectionate  manner  in  which  they  refer  to  him 
in  their  letter,  and  the  relationship  they  say  they  have 
in  him,  in  common  with  the  church  at  Hexham — all 
seem  to  render  it  highly  probable,  that  it  was  the  church 
of  which  Mrs.  Tillam  was  a  member,  and  which,  Mr. 
Tillam  had  visited  on  a  former  occasion,  mentioned  in 
our  narrative. 

As  this  is,  perhaps,  the  only  ancient  document  of  this 
church  in  existence,  we  give  it  entire. 

"DEARLY  BELOVED  IN  YE  LORD,  OTTR  HOPE  AND  JOY, 

"The  choicest  graces  and  spiritual  blessings,  be  multiplied  and 
continually  flowing  into  yr  souls,  from  yt  eternal  fountains  where 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  59 

refreshing  streams  of  divine  consolations  have  (through  grade) 
been  conveying  unto  us  by  Ma  eminent  (by  us  intirely  affected) 
servant  of  Jes.  Christ,*  who  we  trust,  will  be  instrumental  in  ye 
hand  of  our  God,  whom  We  serve,  to  carry  on  both  you  and  us  in 
this  oar  pilgrimage,  in  a  pgresse  Of  grace,  soe  as,  one  day,  he  may 
present  us  with  exceeding  joy,  one  pure  and  spotless  virgin,  before 
our  Redeemer,  when  he  of  whom  ye  Lord  hath  made  such  a  bles- 
sed use,  shall  shine  as  a  starre  in  glory. 

"  Pretious  brethren !  that  we  faint  not  in  this  our  journey,  how 
necesaarie  is't,  yt  our  joynt  interest,  be  mutually  improved,  at  the 
throne  of  grace,  in  each  others  behalf,  that  in  these  dangerous  de- 
clining times,  when  'tis  evident  or  grand  adversary,  perceiving  his 
tottering  kingdom,  near  a  fall,  is  employing  his  utmost  force  and 
deepest  subtiltye,  to  delude  and  draw  poore  soules  from  their 
pfession. 

"  Wee  desire,  to  magnifie  the  name  of  or  God,  for  that  refresh- 
ment to  o' spirits,  received  by  yr  sweet 'epistle,  wherein  doth  ap- 
pear ye  steadfastnesses  of  y  faith  in  Jes.  Ghr.  manger  all  ye 
malice  Manifested  by  ye  endeavours  of  ye  enemie,  and  his  instru- 
ments,; some  of  whom  have  been  busily  employed  in  those  parts, 
to  the  saddening  of  many,  yet  through  mercy,  we  stand,  to  y«> 
praise,  of  ye  glory,  of  yt  grace,  which  we  acknowledge  our 
support. 

"  We  bless  God,  for  ye  continual  enlargement  of  y  hearts,  to 
y«  liberty  of  or  dearly  beloved  brother's  stay  with  us,  though  God 
is  pleased  to-  order  it  now  but  short. 

•  "  Brethren,  we  beseech  you,  pray  for  us,  y*  ye  knowledge  of 
Jesus  Christ,  may  increase  among  us,  yt  we  may  come  to  a  more 
cleare  approbation  of  ye  great  mistery, '  God  in  Christ  and  Christ 
in  us'  united,  and  made  one  with  him,  by  ye  eternal  Spirit.  Then 
shall  we  pfectly  see,  ye  tabernacle  of  God  dwelling  with  wHi  men- 
and  have  occasion  (from  such  blessed  communion)  to  rejoice  wih 
joy  unspeakable,  aud  full  of  glory,  when  all  doubts  and  distrac- 
tions will  be  passed  away ;  noe  night  or  cloud  to  interpose  between 
or  soules,  and  ye  love  of  or  pretious  Redeemer.  Ah !  this  would  be 
a  pretious  pledge,  or  earnest,  of  yt  glorious  condition,  into  wch  we 
shortly  shall  be  translated,  when  wee  have  a  full  enjoyment 
of  him,  whom  now  our  soules  are  thirsting  after,  in  unconceivable 
and  eternall  joy. 

*  Sussed  to  be  Mr.  Tillam. 


60  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUBCHES 

"Peace  be  to  all,  wth  love  and  faith,  from  God  or  father  and 
Lord  Jes.  Chr.  in  whom  wee  are  entirely  y*  affectionate  brethren. 

Will.  Booth,        Kob*.  Millington,    Tho.  Holland, 
Peter  Eaton,        John  Sproson,          Chas.  Holland, 
John  Tomleson,   Tho.  Pollings,          Ric.  Amery. 

"Warrington,  4  m.  26  day,  1654." 

'     *      •  '      '  •  •  \     : 

Soon  after  Mr.  Tillam  went  to  London,  a  letter  came 
to  the  church  at  Hexham,  from  the  church  at  Newcas- 
tle, informing  them  of  a  letter  Mr.  Tillam  had  sent  to 
them  regarding  the  conduct  of  Major  Hohson,  already 
referred  to.  Mr.  Tillam,  it  seems  from  the  letter,  had 
received  his  information  from  Mr.  Hammond,  who  was 
probably  the  minister  of  St.  Nicholas',  Newcastle,  and 
who  wrote  against  the  false  Jew ;  hence  the  Newcastle 
church  affirm  of  him,  that  "  wee  feare  he  hath  prejudi- 
ciale  thoughts,  not  only  against  Major  Hobson,  but 
against  Mr.  Tillam,  and  all  who  are  opposite  to  him, 
and  that  we  judge  you  are  sensible  of  as  well  as  wee." 
Then  they  mention  that  they  had  searched  the  busi- 
ness to  the  bottom,  and  had  found  out  that  what  was 
reported  of  the  Major,  referred  to  what  they  call,  "  the 
days  of  his  wantonnesse,"  and  that  now  "he  is  not  a 
lover,  but  a  leather,  of  such  unworthy  practices." 

"Now,  dear  friends,"  they  add,  "wee  could  not  but  lett  you 
know  so  much,  being  persuaded,  you  knew  of  the  letter  Mr.  Ham- 
mond wrote  to  Mr.  Tillam,  and  Mr.  Tillam  to  us,  and  wee  are 
ye  rather  pvoked  to  write  to  you,  fearing  such  reports  may  cause 
yr  spirits  to  slight  and  question  ye  gracious  and  kind  dealings  of 
God  with  his  soul.  Besides,  wee  had  some  information,  that  this 
report— is,  by  some  reported  to  ye  men  of  ye  world,  but  at  pre- 
sent, wee  can  not  accuse  and  pticular,  untill  we  are  farther  in- 
formed ;  but,  if  any  such  things  should  be,  wee  judge  it  very 

unsuitable  to  ye  rule  of  truth. -So  desiring',  that  the  God  of 

all  grace,  to  keep  you,  and  us,--  from  embracing  of,  or  acting  in, 


TN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  6t 

any  thing,  but  wt  we  may  cheerfully  looke  God  in  ye  face  in  ye 
greate  day  of  ye  Lord,  to  whose  grace  we  leave  you  and  remaine, 

Yr  desirous  brethren  in  truth  and  love, 

if  ye  way  were  clear  in  all  gospel  bonds, 

Tho.  Gower, 

—  .   .        .     ,,      James  Turner, 

By  ye  appointment  of  1  ' 

xi_    ™      t  »T  ~     r      Geor.  Oliver, 

the  Ch.  at  Newcastle.  I  . 

Lewis  Fnnst, 

Joh.  Carrath."        '  / 

"  We  shall  write  to  Mr.  Tillam,  when  we  hear  of  his  returne. 
"Newcastle,  May  28th,  1654." 

To  this  letter  the  church  at  Hexham  sent  a  reply, 
about  two  months  after,  in  which  they  affirm  to  the  fol- 
lowing effect : 

"  Wee  are  so  farre  from  iudging  bro.  Tillam  to  have  acted  dis- 
orderly, yt  wee  are  satisfied  his  carriage,  in  yt  businesse,  was  ac- 
cording to  ye  mind  of  Christ,  and  wee  dare  affirme  it  before  ye 
Lord,  yt  he  had  been  both  wicked  and  unfaithful,  to  his  Mr.  and 
you,  his  people,  if  he  had  not  put  you  upon  ye  enquiry  into  such 
reports,  whether  they  were  true  or  not.    His  worke  was  only  to 
be  a  monitor  to  you,  not  an  accuser  of  yr  bro.  Hobson. We  de- 
sire you  would  seriously  lay  to  heart  how  mightily  ye  Lord  Jesus 
suffers  through  our  divisions.    Oh  what  a  vast  deal  of  ground,  ere 
this  day,  had  ye  Lord  Christ  gotten  in  ye  kingdom  of  Satan,  and 
Antichrist  (wch  stands  yet  little  or  nothing  broken  in  these  pfs) 
had  a  healing  spirit  timeously  interposed  itself,  so  yt  we  might, 
as  one  man,  put  our  shoulder  to  ye  worke.     Consider,  we  pray 
you,   whether  may. not  ye  apostacy  of  some,  ye  staggerings  of 
others    yt  yet  stand,  ye  discouragement  of  weake  ones,  whose 
faces  are  Zionward,  yet  do  keepe  at  distance  (not  thinking  it  safe 
to  close  with  those  who  are  not  at  unity  among  themselves).    Con- 
sider, wee  pray  you,  whether  all  of  these  and  many  more  shall  not 
be  scored  up,  upon  ye  account  of  or  unhappy  differences.      We 
leave  these  upon  yor  spirits.    The  Lord  make  them  of  weight  with 
you  yt  yet  at  ye  last — if  it  be  ye  will  of  God— all  bitternesse  may 
be  taken  out  from  among  us,  and  nn  happy  composure   amon°- 


62  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES  / 

them,  who  professe  themselves  yis  in  the  unity  of  Faith  and 

Baptism. 

Signed  by  the  appointment  of  the"j          ^.^  Qrde      , 

whole  ch.  of  Xt.  at  Hexham,  I  '      I  Elders. 

6,m.,  Augt.  3d.  day,  1654.       j          John  Ward,     J 

(A  number  of  names  here  follow.) 

A  speedy  answer  was  sent  to  this  letter  by  the 
church  at  Newcastle,  in  which  they  still  complain  of 
the  church  at  Hexham,  as  giving  them  no  satisfaction, 
but  the  contrary.  Major  Hobson's  name  is  not  men- 
tioned, but  the  burden  of  the  complaint  is,  that  they 
had  come  out  of  Babylon  by  halves  only,  and  add,— 

"  Therefore  pray,  consider,  and  forsake  yt  wch  is  sinfull.  "We 
meane-all  those  ownings  and  pleadings  for  yt  w*:h  you  have  plead- 
ed in  answer  to  our  charge,  wth  all  other  things,  y*  are  iustly  a 
cause  of  difference  between  us,  and  yt  ye  truth  of  God  does  not 
approve  of. 

"  We  have  this  to  add,  yt  if  you.  desire  a  pticular  answer  to 
ye  answer  to  o1  charge,  we  shall  be  ready  to  give  it  you,  in  a  suit- 
able and  seasonable  time,  for  yr  pticular  satisfaction.  Only,  we 
desire  you  will  bee  pleased  to  send  us  a  coppy  of  yr  commission 
to  preach,  wch  you  had  from  ye'ppagators;  and,  a  coppy  of  ye 
order,  by  wch  you  went  to  Hexham,  and  a  coppy  of  ye  order,  by 
wch  you  receive  yr  maintainance. 

In  ye  behalf  of  ye  whole,  I  being- 

apppointed,  do  subscribe 
From  ye  church  of  Christ  at  Newcastle,-) 

to  or  dear  friends  at  Hexham,  27th  of  I    Tho.  Gower." 

ye  6th  m.,  1654.  j 

To  this  letter,  we  have  a  reply,  by  Mr.  Ward,  who- 
enquires,  "  what  is  meant  by  coming  out  of  Babylon  by 
halves,"  and  reiterates  what  was  said  in  the  end  of  the 
former  letter  from  Hexham  to  Newcastle,  respecting 
the  baneful  effects  of  their  difference  on  the  world. 
This  letter  is  without  date,  but  was  probably  written  in 
the  month  of  September. 

The  last  letter  that  we  have  between  these  churches,  is 
also  without  date,  but  was,  probably,  written  soon  after. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  63 

The  complaint  in  it  is,  that  Mr.  Tillam  had  spoken  of 
the  conduct  of  Major  Hobson  to  the  world,  stating  it  to 
Mr.  Liddell  of  Ravensworth ;  also  to  Thomas  Gibson 
and  Crane  Liddell  of  Hexham,  which  was  overheard  by 
Ed.  Rowland;  and  likewise  to  Mrs.  Fenwick.  All  this, 
they  say,  Mr.  Tilliam  had  denied,  to  their  wonderment. 
They  also  wonder  that  Mr.  Tillam  should  not  have  told 
the  Major  of  his  fault,  when  he  asked  him  to  preach  at 
Hexham,  but  told  it  to  others.  We  have  not  Mr.  Til- 
lam's  reply,  but  as  the  church  in  Coleman-sfreet,  and 
several  of  the  members  of  the  church  of  Hexham  with- 
drew soon  after  this,  it  is  probable,  that  there  might  be 
some  fault  on  the  part  of  Mr.  Tillam  here.  The  cap- 
tious rancour,  however,  with  which  he  was  pursued,  is 
most  distressing  to  reflect  on.  ' 

In  the  month  of  September,  this  year,  Mr.  Tillam 
and  his  friends  were  highly  gratified  by  the  kindly  at- 
tentions of  certain  individuals  in  high  quarters,  to  one 
of  the  members  of  the  church  at  Hexham.  This  per- 
son was  a  poor  female  named  Elizabeth  Heslop.  She 
was  the  twentieth  female  baptized  by  Mr.  Tillam,  was 
unmarried,  and  appears  to  have  been  employed  in  ser- 
vitude. In  the  records  of  the  church,  there  is  a  letter  of 
recommendation  preserved,  relative  to  her  uniting  with 
any  Baptist  church  she  might  happen  to  visit,  while  in 
pursuit  of  her  employment.  This  letter  is  dated  llth 
7  month  (September)  1654. 

A  letter  bearing  date  the  same  month,  and  the  same 
year,  we  find  addressed  to  Sir  Thomas  Liddell.  This 
letter  has  for  its  object,  the  expression  of  the  gratitude 
of  the  church,  for  the  kindness  of  Sir  Thomas  and  his 
Lady  to  this  poor  female.  She  appears  to  have  become 
the  subject  of  deep  affliction  soon  after  she  had  left  the 
neighbourhood  of  Hexham,  and  had  been  most  kindly 
attended  to  in  the  depth  of  her  distress,  at  Ravensworth. 
Castle.  The  following  is  an  extract  from  this  letter. 

F  2 


64  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

"  From  ye  church  of  Christ  assembled  at  Hexham, 
Hon.  "ith,  1654. 

FOB  THE  EIGHT  WORSHIPFULL  SIB  THOMAS  LIDDELL. 

"  Worthy  Sir, 

"  The  many   and  sweet  experiences  wch  this  poore  despised 
church  hath  had  of  your  and  your  pretious  Ladle's*  favours,  have 
solemnly  engaged  us  to  honour  you,  and  we  looke  upon  it  as  a 
duty  incumbent  upon  us,  to  acquaint  you  that  you  have  a  large 
interest  in  our  hearts,  and  a  choice  room  in  our  prayers.    It  hath 
heene  many  times  as  marrow  and  fatnesse  to  our  spirits,  when 
wee  have  heard  of  yv  love  wch  you  beare  to  ye  meanest  yt  heare 
anything  of  ye  image  of  ye  Lord  Jesus.    But,  Oh !  what  consola- 
tion was  it  to  us  when  wee  heard  of  yr  bowels,  and  tender  affec- 
tion, towards  our  dearly  beloved,  but  now  (alas)  sadly  afflicted 
sister,  Elizabeth  Heslopp.    In  this  day  of  her  deepe  distresse.   In 
our  greatest  sadnesse  for  our  sister,  was  even  as  life  from  the 
dead,  to  heare  of  those  yearnings  of  bowels  wch  yr  ever  to  be 
honoured  Lady  had  concerning  her,  her  many  thoughts  of  heart 
for  her — her  sympathizing  wth  her — her  care  and  endeavour  how 
to  bring  her  back — and  your  receiving  into  yr  house  and  respects, 
a  poore  afflicted  member  of  Jesus  Christ — this  is  such  an  eminent 
act  of  yr  goodnesse,  yt  it  hath  even  overcome  our  hearts,  and  all 
our  thanks  are  below  it.     Only,  "this  confidence  wee  have  in  or 
King  (whose  wee  are  and  whome  wee  serve)  that  hee  will  not 
suffer  goodnesse  to  goe  unrewarded.     If  but  a  single  cup  of  cold 
water,  given  to  one  yt  belongs  to  Christ,  hath  yerily  a  reward, 
wee  believe  and  doe  assure  ourselves  yt  ye  good  things  ministered 
to  our  sister,  in  the  day  of  or  master — his  appearance,  will  be 
found  to  your  praise  and  honour.   Christ  scores  up  yr  favrs  to  her, 
upon  his  owne  account.  His  answer  hi  the  day  of  his  returne,  Math, 
xxv.  40,  will  be  a  satisfactory  requital.     In  the  meantime,  wee 
will  not  cease  to  make  mention  of  you  in  our  prayers,  yt  God 
would  comfort  yr  hearts,  even  in  ye  like  measure,  as  she  and  wee 
have  been  consolated  in  yr  loves.  .  That  hee  would  shew  mercy  to- 
you,  in  the  houre  wherein  you  shall  stand  most  need  of  it.     That 

*  Lady  Liddell  was  the  daughter  of  the  distinguished  Sir  Henry  Vane,  a 
man  remarkable  equally  for  his  pie%,  and  his  statesmanlike  ability.  This 
may  account  in  some  measure  for  the  attentions  of  a  Cavalier  family  to  a 
poor  Baptist  female,  and  also  the  communications  between  them  an,d.  Mac- 
TiUaai. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  65 

hee  would  reveal,  wh'soever  of  his  counsell  and  will  are  wanting  in 
you.  That  he  would  water  wil»  ys  dews  of  his  grace  the  sweet 
pledges  of  yr  loves ;  those  olive  branches  that  are  planted  about 
yr  table.  That  he  would  recompense  yr  loves  sevenfold  into  y 
bosom  here,  and  fitt  and  prepare  you  for  yt  glory  Wch  wee  wait  for 
and  presse  after,  in  waies  of  his  owne  apoentment.  To  his  em- 
braces wee  commend  you,  and  take  leave  to  subscribe  ourselves, 

Your  thaukfull  servants  for  Xt.'s  sake, 

John  Thirlwell,  John  Joblin,  Tho.  Tillam, 

Henry  Angas,  Hugh  Heslop,  St.  Anderton. 

.John  Johnson,  Rich.  Orde, 

1655. — However  much  the  mind  of  Mr.  Tillam,  and 
the  minds  of  the  members  of  the  church  at  Hexham, 
might  be  consoled,  by  the  pleasing  incident  alluded  to 
in  the  above  letter,  their  joy  was  not  of  long  continu- 
ance. The  year  1654  had  scarcely  passed  away,  and 
1 655  had  scarcely  begun  to  dawn,  than  their  troubles, 
arising  from  the  external  opposition  of  the  church  at 
Newcastle,  and  the  internal  dissensions  that  prevailed 
among  themselves,  rose  to  a  greater  height  than  at  any 
previous  time  This  circumstance  is  alluded  to,  in  the 
following  note,  in  the  Hexham  church-book :  "  Greate 
storms  and  commotions  by  Mr.  Gower,  more  then  ever, 
so  farre  prevailing  with  the  church  in  Coleman-street, 
as  to  a  disowning  of  Mr.  Tilliam,  and  all  that  are  in 
the  practice  of  laying  on  of  hands."  Also, — "Mr.  An- 
derton first  endeavoured  a  schisme  about  imposition  of 
hands,  but  failing  therein,  he  opened  his  mouth  in  blas- 
phemy against  Mr.  Tillam's  doctrine,  and  plunged 
himself  into  other  grosse  evils,  for  which  he  was,  by  the 
elders,  with  joynt  approbation  of  the  church,  delivered 
unto  Satan,  with  Tho.  Ogle." 

:  It  would  appear,  then,  that  imposition  of  hands  was 
one  of  the  twelve  charges  that  Mr.  Gower  had  against 
Mr.  Tillam,  and  probably  the  principal  of  them.  This 
imposition  of  hands  was  attended  to,  on  the  baptism  of 

F  3 


66  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

individuals,  on  the  blessing  of  young  children,  and  when 
ministers  and  deacons  were  ordained ;  as  also  on  the  de- 
parture of  ministers  visiting  a  church.  This  is  what  is 
alluded  to  in  the  Hexhain  church-book,  as  the  fourth 
principle,  in  reference  to  the  six  principles,  referred  to 
by  the  Apostle  in  Hebrews  vi.  1,  2.  Those  who  were 
baptised  and  admitted  to  the  communion  of  the  church, 
are  said  to  have  been  so  under  the  fourth  principle. 

The  whole  charges  seem  very  frivolous,  and  surely  not 
such,  on  the  principle  of  the  law  of  love,  as  to  require  any 
church  to  be  disowned  as  a  sister  church  in  the  Lord  Je- 
sus. It  is  true,  indeed,  our  Lord  never  intended  it  to  be 
an  ordinance  in  his  church,  that  his  ministers  should/like 
him,  take'  little  children  up  in  their  arms  to  bless  them; 
but  there  can  be  no  harm,  surely,  in  praying  for  them, 
and  telling  parents  their  duty  respecting  them.  So 
likewise,  a  Baptist  minister  may  hear  a  Paedobaptist 
minister  preach  and  pray,  and  even  commune  with  him 
at  the  Lord's  Supper,  without  dishonouring  the  Christian 
name.  Without  incurring  the  censure  of  others,  he  may, 
also,  in  obedience  to  the  appointment  of  the  Lord,  live 
of  the  gospel  he  preaches  to  others.  "We  are  not  pre- 
pared to  defend  the  conduct  of  Mr.  Tillam  in  the  case 
of  Major  Hobson;  but  all  the  circumstances  are  not 
before  us;  and  the  bitter  manner  in  which  he  was 
treated  on  other  matters.,  makes  us  cautious  of  our 
condemnation  of  him  in  this. 

Such,  then,  were  some  of  the  charges  brought  by  Mr. 
Gower  against  Mr.  Tillam,  and  on  account  of  holding 
such  matters  as  these,  he  regards  both  him  and  the 
chnrch  at  Hexham  as  having  come  out  of  Babylon  only 
ly  halves.  Such  a  spirit  as  this  does  much  more  to 
injure  Christianity,  by  lessening  its  holy  dignity  before 
the  world,  than  all  the  sneers,  ridicule,  or  arguments 
ever  used  by  infidels  against  it. 

The  result  of  the  whole  was,  what  might  have  been 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  6f 

easily  predicted,  Mr.  Tiilam  feeling  himself  unhappy  in 
the  church,  gave  up  his  ministry  among  them.  He  left 
Hexham  in  the  year  1656.  He  is  said  to  have  after- 
wards gone  to  Germany,  where,  as  a  heliever  in  the  per- 
sonal reign  of  the  Saviour  on  earth,  at  the  time  of  the 
millenium,  he  expected  that  reign  to  commence.  It  is 
also  said,  he  died  in  Germany,  but  in  what  part  we  are 
not  told.  It  is  not  improbable  that  he  was  connected, 
ultimately,  with  some  of  the  churches  of  the  Mennonites. 

That  the  leaving  of  Mr.  Tiilam  must  have  been  a 
very  painful  matter  to  him,  will  appear  from  the  peru- 
sal of  part  of  a  letter  which  appears  to  have  been  writ- 
ten, during  his  journey  to  London  and  other  places  in 
the  South  of  England,  early  in  1654. 

"  O  my  beloved  brethren,  my  sons,  my  daughters  in  Christ,  my 
owne  children  in  the  faith,  I  cannot  tell  you  how  well  I  lova 
you.  Does  not  every  artist  lore,  prize,  and  praise  his  own"  work- 
manship ?  It  is  the  joy  of  my  soul  that  yee,  even  yee,  are  my 
workmanship  in  ye  Lord,  for  I  have  begotten  you  through  the 
gospel  either  from  prophaneness  to  hollinesse,  or,  at  least,  from 
error  to  order.  And  now  the  God  of  order  stablish  you  yt  you 
may  be  found  compleat  in  all  the  will  of  God ;  delivered  from  the 
confused  noise  of  many  waters,  in  the  obscure  parts  of  your  present 
abode,  which  obstruct  that  sweet  silver  single  stream — the  still 
and  soft  voice  of  the  gospel — that  makes  glad  the  city  of  God,  and 
will,  assuredly,  lead  and  conduct  your  precious  souls  through  tha 
gate  into  the  city."  *  *  *  *  * 

The  remainining  part  of  this  letter  lias  been  already 
inserted,  page  57. 

Mr.  Tiilam  was  an  author.  He  wrote  a  treatise  on 
the  Sabbath,  and  another  on  the  Millenium.  He  also 
published  the  confession  of  the  False  Jew,  and  the  ac- 
count of  his  Baptism;  and,  in  reply  to  the  publication  of 
the  ministers  of  Newcastle  respecting  the  pretended 
Rabbi,  he  wrote  a  small  tract  with  a  view  to  vindicate 


68  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

the  matter  as  far  as  practicable.     The  writer  has  seen 
these  works,  but  they  are  now  rarely  to  be  met  with. 

As  to  Mr.  Tillam's  character,  it  is  evident  that 
he  was  a  man  of  piety  and  energy.  His  education 
appears  to  have  been  respectable.  His  hand-writ- 
ing-is  beautiful;  and  his  spelling  and  grammatical 
construction,  for  his  time,  are  good.  He  seems  to  have 
been  a  very  affectionate  man,  as  the  spirit  of  holy  love, 
as  well  as  sacred  energy,  seems  to  breath  in  all  his  letters 
and  doings.  Like  most  good  men,  however,  his  virtues 
were  not  full-orbed.  Perhaps  his  prudence  was  not  so 
conspicuous  as  some  other  parts  of  his  character.  His 
conduct  in  the  case  of  Ramsay,  the  pretended  Jew, 
evinces  this  Perhaps  it  was  his  warm-heartedness, 
mingled  with  a  portion  of  indiscretion,  that  may  have 
exposed  him  to  the  stinging  reproofs,  numerous  accusa- 
tions, and  unrelenting  rigour  of  Mr.  Gower.  Taking 
him,  however,  all  in  all,  the  impression  on  the  mind, 
arising  from  the  perusal  of  his  history,  is  favourable. 
From  his  coming  from  London  to  the  North  of  England, 
in  the  end  of  the  year  1651,  to  the  end  of  the  year  1655, 
his  career  at  Hexham  and  the  vicinity  appears  to  have 
been  eminently  useful ;  and,  but  for  the  infirmities  of 
human  nature  in  himself,  and  other  Christian  brethren, 
and  especially  one,  his  course  might  have  been  much 
longer,  and  perhaps,  on  the  whole,  equally  brilliant  with 
what  it  had  been. 

As  to  Mr.  Gower,  we  can  affirm  but  little  respecting 
him.  In  the  archives  of  the  church  at  Hexham  we 
have  several  letters  from  the  church  at  Newcastle, 
which  probably  were  of  his  dictation,  though  they  ap- 
pear to  have  been  transcribed  by  Mr.  Tillam.  He  was, 
it  is  probable,  from  his  situation,  Mr.  Tillam's  equal,  if 
not  superior,  in  point  of  talent.  He,  evidently,  from  his 
letters,  possessed -logical  power;  but  we  should  have 
respected  his  character  more,  had  he  not  been  so  rigid 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  69 

in  hia  views,  and  had  he  discovered  less  asperity  to  a 
ministerial  brother,  who,  whatever  were  his  foibles,  was 
at  least  a  pious  Christian,  a  zealous  minister,  and  an 
affectionate,  though  an  imperfect  man.  Still  we  cannot 
but  respect  the  memory  of  Mr.  Gower,  as  having  laid 
the  foundation  of  the  Baptist  cause  in  Newcastle  ;  and 
if  we  had  more  data,  we  should,  probably,  have  drawn 
a  still  more  favourable  opinion  of  his  ministerial  ca- 
pabilities, his  Christian  character,  and  his  friendly 
qualities.. 

In  bringing  to  a  close,  this  first  period  of  our  history 
of  the  Baptists  of  the  North  of  England,  we  regret  that 
our  facts  are  so  scanty,  especially  with  regard  to 
Broughton  and  Newcastle.  The  difficiency,  however, 
is  in  some  degree  supplied  by  the  notes  of  Mr.  Lark- 
ham,  and  particularly  by  those  of  Mr.  Tillam,  and  the 
letters  of  the  different  churches  and  individuals,  which 
he  so  carefully  preserved.  Let  us  be  grateful  for  what 
God  has  wrought  in  former  days,  in  a  part  of  the  world, 
in  which  we  are  so  much  interested.  Let  us,  for  our 
own  sakes,  and  the  sake  of  our  families,  preserve  from 
oblivion  the  knowledge  of  that  working,  and  see  that 
they  apply  that  knowledge  to  the  cultivation  of 


our  hearts,  the  holiness  of  our  lives,  and  the  manifesta- 
tion of  our  united  energies,  to  preserve,  invigorate,  and 
extend  the  same  sacred  cause. 


70  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 


PERIOD  SECQND.-FROM  1656  TO  1717, 


CHAPTER  I. 

• 

Broughton — Newcastle — Mr.  Turner.— Hexham ;  Mr.  Ord.— 
Derwent;  Mr.  Ward.— Disruption  of  these  societies. — Recon- 
ciliation.— Discipline  at  Hexham, — Past  British  History. — 
Fifth  Monarchy. — Persecution  and  Resistance. — Their  Origin. 
— Retort  of  Pjedobaptist  Accusation— Cromwell's  Death. — 
Restoration. — Breda. — Results.—Baptists. — Bunyan. — Venner. 
— J.  James. — Proscriptions. — Plots.—FarnlyWood. — Muggles- 
wick. — Baptists  accused  by  Elrington. — John  Joplin. — Ac- 
quitted.— Mr.  Surtees. 

On  the  commencement  of  this  new  period,  we  have 
little  light  to  guide  us,  for  a  few  years,  relative  to  the 
progress  of  the  cause  at  Broughton.  At  Newcastle 
also,  information  fails,  for  some  time,  except  as  inci- 
dentally introduced  in  the  history  of  the  cause  on  the 
Tyne  and  Derwent. 

Mr.  Gower,  Major  Hobson,  and  others  connected 
with  the  army,  disappear.  As  the  Baptists,  always, 
partial  to  liberty,  had  been  very  unequivocal  in  their 
expressions  of  displeasure,  under  the  Protectorate  of 
Cromwell,  so  the  Protector  took  care  to  purge  the 
army  as  much  of  them,  as  he  had  purged  the  Par- 
liament, at  a  previous  period,  of  the  Presbyterians. 
Consequently,  the  garrison  of  Newcastle,  as  well  as 
others,  would  feel  the  effect  of  this  new  arrangement. 
Whether  the  above-named  gentlemen  remained  in 
Newcastle,  or  retired  from  it,  we  have  not  at  present 
the  means  of  knowing.  It  is  probable,  as  some  had 


'       IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  71 

come  from  London  and  the  South  of  England,  they 
might  repair  thither  again ;  and  some  might  take  up 
their  permanent  abode,  where  a  society  had  heen  form- 
ed under  their  own  guidance,  on  those  principles,  which 
corresponded  to  their  own  views  of  revealed  truth.  This 
was  probably  the  case  with  Mr.  Turner,  whose  name- 
we  find  in  connexion  with  the  letters  sent  from  the 
church  at  Newcastle  to  the  church  at  Hexham,  and 
afterwards  referred  to,  as  the  pastor  of  the  church  at 
Newcastle,  for  a  series  of  years.  He  is,  probably,  the 
same  person  alluded  to,  as  Captain  Turner,  in  the 
Hexham  records.* 

The  church  at  Hexham,  after  the  resignation  of  Mr. 
Tillam,  divided  into  two  sections — the  one  on  the  Tyne, 
and  the  other  on  the  Derwent.  Two  elders  had  been 
ordained  by  Mr.  Tillam — the  one,  Mr.  Richard  Ord, 
who  had,  henceforward,  the  charge  of  that  portion  of  the 
church  in  Hexham  and  the  vicinity  of  the  Tyne ;  and 
Mr.  John  Ward,  who  had  the  charge  now,  and  for  a 
long  period  afterward,  of  the  disciples  on  "  the  Der- 

wentwater  Side." 

As  to  Mr.  Ord,  little  is  known  of  him ;  but  from  what 

is  known,  he  appears  to  have  been  the  steadily-attached 
friend  of  Mr.  Tillam,  who  alludes  to  him  in  very  affec- 
tionate terms,  in  the  end  of  the  letter  he  sent  to  the  church 
at  Hexham,  during  his  journey  to  London  and  the  south. 
"Oh  how  greatly,"  says  he,  "  have  you  endeared  me, 
by  the  faithful  affection  and  tender  care  of  my  dear 
yoakfellow,  which  is  conveyed  through  mine  eye  to  my 
hart,  by  the  faithfull  penne  of  my  beloved  brother  Rich. 
*  In  a  letter  from  Mr.  Hickhorngill,  dated  Dalkeith,  Mar.  15, 
1652 — 1653,  we  have  the  following  reference  to  Capt.  Turner,  in 
connexion  with  Mr.  Gower,  of  Newcastle :    "  Captaine  Turner 
hath  since  his  last  coming  changed  his  judg"1'-  about  living  uppon 
y   gospel  when  maintenance  is  freely  given,  and  I  hope  Mr.  Gore 
will  shortly  be  like  minded,  so  that  I  hope  that  yon  and  our  brethren 
will  own  each  other  in  all  Christian  fellowship  and  communion." 


72  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Ord,  unto  whom  I  return  my  unfeigned  thanks."  Mr. 
Ord  never,  as  far  as  is  known,  deserted  the  cause  of 
Mr.  Tillam.  He  is  supposed  to  have  resided  at  Ard- 
ley,  and  probably  was  employed  in  agriculture. 

With  regard  to  Mr.  Ward,  he  seems  to  have  been  a1 
native  of  Muggleswick,  the  village  where  Mr.  Tillam 
was  so  successful  in  shewing  to  many  the  error  of  in- 
fant baptism.  The  name  of  Ward  seems  to  have  been 
indigenous  here,  as  it  has  been  known  since  the  seventh 
century.  We  are  unacquainted  with  the  immediate 
parentage  of  Mr.  Ward,  but  we  are  told  by  tradition, 
that  he  was  "a  skilfull  mineralogist."  As  a  man  of 
capacity,  he  was,  probably,  employed  as  an  agent  in  the 
lead  mines,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Muggleswick.  He 
appears  to  have  been  brought  under  the  influence  of 
religion  by  Mr.  Tillam,  and  baptized  16th  October, 
1652,  in  the  twenty-second  year  of  his  age,  being  born 
in  1630. 

In  1655,  Mr.  Ward  was  elected  an  elder  of  the  church 
on  the  Derwent.  He  was,  at  this  time,  only  in  his 
twenty-fifth  year,  but  he  had  qualifications  adapted 
to  the  important  work,  as  is  evident  from  his  success 
and  perseverance,  during  the  long  course  of  sixty-two 
years.  The  exercise  of  Mr.  Ward's  ministry,  even  in 
the  time  of  Mr.  Tillam,  would,  it  is  probable,  be  chiefly 
confined  to  the  friends  around  the  Derwent;  it  was 
permanently  so  afterwards,  while  at  the  same  time  he 
co-operated  with  the  section  of  the  church  on  the  banks 
of  the  Wear. 

Mr.  Ward,  along  with  the  brethren  of  the  quarter  where 
he  resided,  at  the  commencement  of  the  controversy  be- 
tween Mr.  Tillam  and  Mr.  Gower,  had  warmly  taken  the 
part  of  his  own  minister,  but  so  soon  as  the  church  in 
Coleman-street  had  withdrawn  from  him~he  and  his 
brethren  appear  to  have  done  so  likewise.  The  result 
was,  the  friends  at  Hexham  withdrew  from  them,  as  they 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  73 

had  thus,  in  a  day  of  trial,  deserted  their  best  friend — 
their  spiritual  Father.  For  several  months  there  was 
therefore  no  communication  between  them. 

A  reconciliation,  however,  was  then  attempted  at 
Eadsbridge,  near  Muggleswick,  but  at  this  meeting 
they  could  not  agree.  The  friends  at  Hexham  then 
held  a  conference  with  the  church  at  Newcastle.  At 
this  meeting,  it  was  decided  that  messengers  should 
be  deputed,  to  meet  the  Hexham  and  Derwent  bre- 
thren; and  endeavour  to  reconcile  them.  This  meeting 
proved  successful.  It  is  said  to  have  been  "held  at 
brother  Joplin's,  22*.  July,  1656."  The  deputation, 
after  mutual  explanations,  declared  the  conflicting  par- 
ties to  be  one  body  in  the  Lord.  The  ringleader,  how- 
ever, of  the  schism — Mr.  iS.  Anderton,  was  expelled. 

From  the  period  of  the  above  conference,  little  is 
noted  regarding  the  affairs  of  either  section  of  the 
church.  None  appear  to  have  been  added  during  the 
three  following  years,  but  in  the  end  of  1658,  one  of  the 
members  was  expelled  for  marrying  an  unbeliever,  and 
two  were  reproved  for  "going  to  one  of  the  world's 
drinkings  after  a  wedding."  In  the  early  part  of  the 
year  1660,  Mr.  Anderton  was  restored,  "to  the  great 
joy  of  the  church;"  two  females  were  added,  but  the 
brethren  withdrew  from  one,  who  did  not  regard  it  a 
duty  to  devote  a  seventh  part  of  his  time,  to  the  wor- 
ship and  service  of  God. 

'  An  important  crisis  in  the  history  of  the  country  in 
general  was  now  at  hand — the  restoration  of  the  Stuart 
family  to  the  throne  of  Britain.  This  event  was  big 
with  serious  consequences,  both  to  the  civil  and  religi- 
ous liberties  of  the  empire.  During  the  past  twenty 
years,  the  great  struggle  had  been  enacted  between  des- 
potism and  freedom,  prelacy  and  puritanism,  or,  in  other 
words,  a  religion  suited  to  the  taste  of  those  who  loved 
tyrannical  rule  and  the  uncontrolled  indulgence  of 

G 


74  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

their  passions — and  a  religion  aiming  at  purity  in 
heart  and  life,  though  clogged  with  imperfect  views  of 
liberty  of  conscience.  In  this  great  struggle,  the  throne 
was  overturned;  Prelacy  was  banished,  as  the  religion 
of  the  state;  Presbyterianism,  if  not  fully  establish- 
ed, gained  the  ascendancy  in  the  country.  The  Inde- 
pendents, under  the  guidance  of  a  few  able  men,  and 
the  countenance  of  the  great  leaders  in  the  army  and 
mutilated  parliament,  had  made  rapid  strides.  The 
Baptists,  as  we  have  seen,  became  numerous,  after  the 
death  of  the  King,  and  in  1653  had  arrived  at  the  cli- 
max of  their  success,  under  the  favour  of  Cromwell ; 
but  when  he  assumed  the  supreme  power  of  the  nation,  in 
his  own  person,  and  when  some  of  his  former  friends,  who 
were  Baptists,  had  distinctly  expressed  their  displeasure 
at  this,  seconded  by  the  opinion  of  the  great  bulk  of  the 
party,  he  ever  afterwards  frowned  on  them.  It  is  true, 
indeed,  that  he  still  continued  on  terms  of  peace  with 
those  among  them  that  were  peaceable  and  submissive 
to  the  government;  but  as  to  those  who  held  extreme 
views  of  what  was  termed  the  fifth  monarchy — or  the 
reign  of  Jesus  and  the  saints — owing  to  their  turbulent 
dispositions,  he  coerced  them  severely,  and  imprisoned 
their  leaders. 

It  is  much  to  be  regretted,  that  among  the  Baptists, 
Independents,  and  some  others  at  this  period,  there 
were  some  who  held  the  lawfulness  of  establishing  the 
above  view  by  the  sword.  The  idea  savours  much 
more  of  Judaism  than  of  Christianity,  and  is  akin  to 
the  notions  of  temporal  power  and  earthly  grandeur, 
entertained  by  the  disciples  of  our  Lord,  and  reproved 
by  him  in  the  person  of  Peter,  when  he  said,  "  Get  thee 
behind  me  Satan,  for  thou  savourest  not  the  things 
which  be  of  God,  but  these  that  be  of  men." 

It  was  worldly  views  of  the  spiritual  religion  of  the 
Son  of  God,  that,  in  the  days  of  Constantino,  led  to  its- 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  75 

incorporation  with  the  Roman  State,  and  which  has  re- 
tained to  the  present  time,  that  connexion,  in  the  differ- 
ent kingdoms  of  Europe,  into  which  the  empire  of  Rome 
finally  split.  Out  of  this  connexion  have  proceeded  two 
circumstances  which,  in  their  operation,  have  proved 
the  hane  of  religion  and  the  great  source  of  calamity 
to  the  different  nations  in  Christendom,  namely, 
persecution  hy  the  established,  and  resistance  by  the 
nonconformist  party.  The  Jewish  and  Roman  per- 
secutions of  the  first  Christians ;  the  Romish  Inquisi- 
tion; the  Star  Chamber,  and  the  High  Court  of 
Commission  in  England,  evince  the  tendencies  of  esta- 
blishments to  persecution  in  its  more  horrid  forms :  and 
on  the  other  hand,  the  rising  of  the  Paulicians  in  Bul- 
garia and  Thrace,  against  the  bloody  persecutions  of 
Theodora  the  Greek  empress,  and  her  successors  ;  the 
resistance  of  the  Albigenses  to  Simon  de  Montford ;  the 
opposition  to  papal  tyranny  by  the  Protestants  in  Ger- 
many and  the  North  of  Europe;  and  the  resistance  of 
the  Huguenots  in  France,  the  Puritans  in  England, 
and  the  Covenanters  in  Scotland,  exhibit  the  disposition 
to  oppose,  by  unchristian  means,  on  the  part  of  Non-con- 
formists, efforts  employed,  in  an  unchristian  manner,  on 
the  part  of.  Establishments,  either  to  make  men  Chris- 
tians, or  to  make  presumed  heretics  orthodox  believers. 
The  conduct  of  the  physical  force  party  among  the 
Millenarians,  partook,  doubtless,  of  the  same  spirit. 
The  doings  of  Blockhold,  at  Munster,  and  of  Venner,  in 
London — the  one  a  Baptist,  and  the  other  a  Paedo- 
baptisW-had  their  origin  in  a  worldly  view  of  Jewish 
prophecy,  respecting  the  spiritual  kingdom  of  God  under 
the  new  dispensation.  Instead  of  waiting  for  the  giving  of 
the  kingdom  to  the  saints — not  by  might,  nor  by  power, 
but  by  the  Spirit  of  the  Lord,  they  thought  it  their 
duty  to  take  it  immediately  by  the  sword.  The  idea 
is,  however,  opposed  to  the  whole  genius  of  Christianity, 


76  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

as  seen  in  the  benedictions  of  our  Lord  on  the  mount, 
and  his  distinct  and  explicit  declaration  in  the  presence 
of  Pilate,  that  "Ms  kingdom  was  not  of  this  world,  else 
would  his  servants  fight,  that  he  should  not  be  delivered 
to  the  Jews."  We  should  therefore  be  at  a  loss  to  account 
for  the  forgetfulness  of  this,  by  any  believer  in  Revela- 
tion, were  we  not  aware  that  there  is  a  tendency  to  evil— 
to  all  evil — in  the  heart  of  man;  and  especially  to  evil, 
when  presented  under  the  very  specious  form  of  good. 
We  are  also  aware,  that  the  prince  of  darkness,  as- 
suming the  garb  of  an  angel  of  light,  can  throw  over 
men  of  contracted  views  and  ardent  temperament,  such 
a  cloudy,  but  yet  seductive  perception,  that  even  the 
most  blood}'  and  impure  deeds  of  darkness,  may,  in 
their  esteem,  be  surrounded  by  a  kind  of  sacred  halo, 
when  performed  in  the  name  of  religion. 

As  thus,  in  bygone  days,  a  portion  of  the  evil  tenden- 
cy of  our  nature  has  been  exhibited,  more  or  less,  in 
the  operations  of  all  the  different  parties  professing 
Christianity:  as  all — with  one  bright  exception,  the 
Friends  or  Quakers— have  acted  too  much  like  John, 
when  he  wished  fire  to  descend  from  heaven  to  consume 
the  Samaritans ;  so  no  party  can,  with  justice,  throw 
the  first  stone  of  innocence  against  another.  Whilst, 
therefore,  our  brethren,  who  hold  Psedobaptist  senti- 
ments, taunt  the  Baptists  with  the  rustic  war  in  Ger- 
many, because  Munzer,  a  Baptist,  was  a  leader  in  that 
movement,  and  also,  with  the  maniacal  disorder  of  the 
city  of  Munster  for  a  brief  period,  under  the  insane 
guidance  of  some  weak  and  wicked  men,  that  were  pro- 
fessedly Baptists;  it  may  not  be  improper  to  remind 
them,  that  Vernier,  the  wine  cooper  of  London,  al- 
though associated  with  some  Baptists,  was  not  a  Bap- 
tist. It  may  be  necessary. also  to  state,  that  the  Baptists 
are  never  implicated,  in  better  educated,  and  more 
civilized  times,  in  either  instigating  or  forwarding 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  77 

the  infuriated  Protestant,  riots  in  London,  under  Lord 
George  Gordon,  in  1780 ;  nor  yet,  the  cowardly,  mean,, 
and  detestable  fury  of  the  orthodox  mob  of  Birmingham, 
that  gutted  the  house  of  the  Unitarian  Dr.  Priestley,  in 
1791.  But  we  must  return  to  our  narrative. 

That  remarkable  man,  Oliver  Cromwell,  reached  the 
«nd  of  his  eventful  career,  September  3, 1658.  He  was 
succeeded  by  his  son  Richard,  who  soon  resigned  both 
the  sword  and  sceptre,  that  he  was  equally  unable  and 
indisposed  to  wield.  The  restored  Commonwealth  main- 
tained a  reeling  existence  for  about  a  year  and  a  half. 
At  length,  through  the  duplicity  and  artifice  of  General 
Monk,  at  the  head  of  his  small,  but  well-appointed,  and 
ably-commanded  army,  it  expired ;  and  monarchy  again, 
in  the  person  of  Charles  the  Second,  was  restored.  This 
took  place,  29th  May,  1660. 

At  Breda,  on  the  4th  of  April  preceding,  Charles  had 
.made  a  declaration  in  the  following  terms,  "  We  do  de- 
clare a  liberty  to  tender  consciences,  and  that  no  man 
shall  be  disquieted,  or  called  in  question,  for  differences 
of  opinion,,  which  do  not  disturb  the  peace  of  the  king- 
dom." This  Jesuitical  declaration,  in  the  hands  of  the 
premier,  the  Earl  of  Clarendon,  and  his  companions  and 
successors  in  office,  both  in  England  and  Scotland,  was, 
during  the  long  range  of  the  succeeding  eight  and  twentyi 
years,  most  appallingly  interpreted,  by  the  exhibition  of 
such  scenes  of  proscription  and  blood,  as  are  scarcely 
equalled  in' the  history  of  civilized  man. 

All  parties  met  with  their  full  share.  The  Presby- 
ierians,  though  ever  loyal,  were  made  to  feel,  in  its  full 
weight,  after  a  few  hypocritical  conferences,  that  want 
of  toleration  which  they  themselves  were  so  much  dis- 
posed, in  the  day  of  prosperity,  to  deny  to  others.  The 
Independents  were  called  also  to  suffer  grievously,  in 
the  reaction  of  impiety,  for  piety,  and  of  intolerance,  for 

G3 


78  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

the  comparatively  extensive  liberty,  enjoyed  even  by  tbe 
Episcopalians,  in  the  time  of  the  Commonwealth. 

It  was,  doubtless,  owing  to  the  ill  odour  in  which  the 
Baptists  were  ever  held,  by  their  fellow  Protestants  on  the 
Continent  and  in  Britain,  at  the  time  of  the  Reformation, 
and  afterwards,  together  with  the  fifth  monarchy  prin- 
ciples, held  by  some  of  the  most  distinguished  among 
them  in  England,  such  as  General  Harrison  and  others ;; 
and  the  connexion  of  many  of  them  with  the  army  of 
the  Commonwealth,  as  also  their  numbers  throughout 
the  country,  and  the  zeal  with  which  they  propagated 
their  views ;  that  they  became,  on  the  very  year  of  the 
Restoration,  so  obnoxious  to  the  court,  and  were  so  se- 
verely persecuted. 

One  of  the  first  victims  of  this  persecution,  was  the  ce- 
lebrated John  Bunyan.  His  zeal  and  popularity  were 
great.  As  all  the  acts  of  the  days  of  the  Commonwealth 
and  Protectorate  had  been  declared  void,  so,  on  an  obso- 
lete statute  of  Elizabeth,  by  way  of  intimidation  to  others, 
he  was  imprisoned  on  Nov.  12th,  1660.  Afterwards  he 
was  offered  liberty,  if  he  would  desist  from  preaching. 
To  this,  however,  he  would  not  agree.  He  was  tried  in 
January,  1661 ,  when  it  was  hinted,  that  his  zeal  and  pre- 
tences might  be  the  same  as  those  of  the  parties  who  in- 
tended the  ruin  of  the  government.  In  this  there  was  an 
allusion  to  the  case  of  Vernier,  who  had  attempted  to  rise 
against  the  government  of  Cromwell,  in  1657,  and  did 
so  again,  on  the  6th  of  January  following,  a  few  days 
after  Bunyan's  trial.*  Bunyan  denied  the  charge,  and 

*  Venner  and  his  companions  had  intended  to  oppose  the 
government,  in  1657,  but  were  discovered  by  Thurlow,  Cromwell's 
Secretary ;  but  now  he  made  the  attempt  with  fifty  men.  These 
routed  the  train  bands  of  London,  but  were  dislodged  by  a  detach- 
ment of  horse  and  foot,  and  some  were  taken  prisoners.  Some 
of  them  then  returned  to  the  city,  and  fought  furiously.  About 
twenty  of  them  were  killed,  and  Venner,  after  being  wounded, 
was  taken  with  the  rest  of  his  companions.  A  few  days  afterwards, 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  79 

said  that  "  if  occasion  called,  he  would  shew  his  loyalty 
to  the  King,  both  by  word  and  deed.  Notwithstanding 
this,  and  the  additional  circumstance  of  the  coronation 
of  the  King,  in  the  following  month  of  April,  when  the 
jails  were  nearly  emptied,  there  was  no  enlargement  for 
Bunyan.  He  was,  indeed,  a  peaceable  subject,  but,  be- 
cause he  would  publicly  tell  sinners  the  road  to  heaven, 
therefore  he  must  remain  in  prison,  and  there,  with 
difficulty,  for  twelve  years,  maintain  himself,  ( his  wife, 
his  poor  blind  daughter,  and  the  rest  of  his  family. 
The  wrath  of  man,  however,  tended  to  the  praise  of 
God,  and  the  advancement  of  his  kingdom.  As  some 
of  the  most  important  parts  of  the  New  Testament  were 
written  in  prison,  so,  in  prison,  Bunyan  wrote  his  im- 
mortal "Pilgrim" — one  of  the  most  interesting  and  edi- 
fying allegories  that  ever  was  conceived;  by  the  ingenuity 
of  man :  a  book,  the  writing  of  which  not  only  cheered  his 
own  spirit  in  his  solitary  hours,  amidst  the  gloom  of 
his  dungeon,  but  which  has^  since  his  time,  solaced  and 
animated  the  heart  of  many  a  weary  pilgrim,  through 
the  varying  scenes  of  this  world  to  that  which  is  to 
come.  Mr.  Ivimey  says,  that  this  treatment  of  Mr. 
Bunyan  was  but  a  sample  of  the  usage  which  was  ex- 
perienced in  every  other  part  of  the  land.* 

they  were  tried,  condemned,  and  executed.  It  has  been  already 
stated,  that  Venner  wis  not  a  Baptist.  In  proof  of  this,  it  is  af- 
firmed, that  a  number  of  declarations  were  made  by  the  Baptists  in 
general,  expressive  of  their  abhorrence  of  the  conduct  of  Venner, 
and  stating,  there  were  no  Baptists,  but  one,  among  the  fifty.  Ven- 
ner is  also  represented  as  having  declared,  that  if  his  party  succeed- 
ed, the  Baptists  should  know,  that  InfantBaptism  was  an  ordinance 
of  Jesus  Christ. — Ivimey' s  History  of  Baptists,  Vol.  Lp.306 — 314. 

•  •  One  of  the  most  affecting  instances  of  the  persecutions  of  this 
period,  is  the  case  of  Mr.  John  James,  a  Baptist  minister.  A 
person  had  informed  against  him,  that  he  had  uttered  treason  in 
one  of  his  sermons.  This  all  that  heard  him  denied.  He  was, 
notwithstanding,  condemned  to  be  hanged  and  quartered.  His 


80  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Owing  to  the  close  connexion  of  church,  and  state,  and 
the  severe  and  bloody  intolerance  that  sprang  out  of  it, 
it  appears  almost  impossible  to  give  an  account  of  evert 
a;  small  and  remote  portion  of  a  comparatively  small 
denomination  of  Dissenters,  then  only  in  emhryo,  with- 
out referring,  almost  constantly,  to  the  history  of  the 
times.  From  the  unsettled  state  of  affairs,  during 
nearly  half  a  century,  there  was  a  continued  recurrence 
of  reaction  on  the  feelings  and  circumstances  of  the 
court  and  the  nation.  The  despotism  of  Charles  the 
First,  civil  and  religious,  brought  him  to  the  scaffold. 
The  military  government  of  Cromwell  at  length,  brought 
the  nation  to  long  for  its  old  masters ;  and  now  that 
Charles,  Clarendon,  and  the  hierarchy,  intoxicated  with 
success,  had  gratified  themselves  with  the  blood  of  their 
victims,  by  the  execution  of  ten  of  the  regicides,  of  the 
great  Sir  Harry  Vane,  and  some  of  the  leaders  of  the 

wife  petitioned  the  King  for  his  life,  as  he  entered  the  Palace 
from  the  Park.  The  King  replied,  "  Oh !  Mr.  James,  he  is  a 
sweet  Gentleman,"' and  then  shut  the  door  upon  her.  The- next 
day  she  again  presented  herself  to  his  majesty,,  and.  he  again  re- 
plied, "  He  is  a  rogue,  and  shall  be  hanged."  He  was  according- 
ly hanged,  on  the  26th  Nov.,  1661.  His  conduct  on  the  scaffold 
was  very  calm ;  he  had  no  raptures ;  hut  the  peace  of  God,  that 
passeth  all  understanding,  kept  his  heart  and  mind  through  Christ 
Jesus.  The  executioner  said,  "  The  Lord  receive  your  soul." 
He  said,  "  I  thank  you."  A  person  present  said,  ft  This  is  a 
happy  day."  He  answered,  "  I  bless  the  Lord,  it  is  so,"  Ano- 
ther said,  "  The  Lord  make  your  passage  easy."  "  I  trust  he 
will  so,"  replied  Mr.  James.  He  was  then  asked,  if  he  had  any- 
thing to  say  to  the  Sheriff.  He  replied,  '"•  No ;  but  only  to  thank 
him  for  his  civility."  He  then  said  aloud,  lifting  up  his- hands, 
<{  Father  into  thy  hands,  I  commit  my  spirit,"  and  so  finished  his 
course.  His  quarters  were  placed  on  the  city  gates,  and  his  head 
was  set  upon  a  pole  opposite  his  own  meeting-house,  in  "White- 
chapel." — Ivimey,  vol.  i}  p.  320 — 327.  State  Trials,  vol.  ii. 
p.  516 — 549.  Crosby,  vol.  ii.  p.  172, 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  •        81 

sectaries  in  England;  also  of  Argyle  and  Guthrie  in 
Scotland; — these  events,  together  with  the  passing  of  the 
Act  of  Uniformity  in  August  24, 1662,*  caused  another 
reaction  to  take  place.  The  people  got  tired  of  blood  and 
tyranny;  the  extreme  fervency  of  their  loyalty  began  to 
cool ;  and  the  men  of  "  the  good  old  cause/''  daring  once 
more  to  lift  up  their  heads,  rumours  of  plots  against  the 
government,  in  different  parts  of  the  country,  began  to 
circulate. 

One  of  these  plots  is  said  to  have  occurred  at  Tarnley 
Wood  in  Yorkshire,  but  it  is  affirmed  regarding  it,  that 
.  the  insurgents  were  "  only  a  few  enthusiasts  of  various 
sects,  but  not  embracing  one  person  of  talent  or  consi- 
deration.'^ Another  of  these  plots  is  also  stated  to 
have  taken  place  at  Muggleswick  Park,  and  the  princi- 
pal conspirators  were  said  to  be  the  Anabaptists  that 
usually  met  for  worship  there.  Information  regarding 
this  plot  was  lodged  with  several  magistrates,  by  one 
John  Elrmgton  of  Blanchland,  a  small  place  lying  a 
few  miles  north-west  of  Muggleswick. 

The  persons  accused,  were  the  minister,  a  number 
of  the  members  of  the  church  on  the  Derwent,$  and 

*  This  Act  involved  the  removal  of  upwards  of  2000  ministers 
from  the  Established  Church.    In  the  four  northern  counties  115 
left  the  Church;   but  27  afterwards  conformed.— See  Palmer's 
.  Nonconformist  Memorial. 

f  Hist,  of  Eng.,  by  Sir  James  Macintosh. —  Vol.  vii.p.  34. 

|  The  members  accused  were — John  Readshaw,  Robt.  Blen- 
kensop,  Rowland  Harrison,  Capt.  Dobson,  Capt.  Geo.  Gower, 
Robt.  Readshaw,  Robt.  and  Mark  Taylor,  John  March,  John 
Joplin,  John  March,  Cuthbert  Newton,  Richard  Taylor,  Henry 
Angas,  Cuthbert  Maughan.  Geo.  Readshaw,  John  Oliver,  Lewis 
Frost,  Cuthbert  and  Michael  Coatsworth,  Richard  and  John  Ord, 
James  Carr,  Robt.  Dalmer,  Rowland  and  Nicholas  Harrison, 
John  Hopper,  Thomas  Readshaw,  Michael  Ward,  Cuthbert  "VVardj 

Ralph  Hey,  Richard  Johnson,  and Foster.  Several  of  these 

were  members  of  the  church  at  Newcastle. — Hist,  of  Durham, 
ly  Suriees,  vol.  ii.}  page  389—391. 


82  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

also  some  of  the  members  at  Newcastle.  Ellington 
professed  to  be  a  member  of  the  Derwent  church,  and 
had,  he  said,  been  at  the  meetings  where  the  plot  was 
concocted,  having  taken  an  oath  of  secresy  not  to  reveal 
what  transpired ;  "Being  however  pricked  in  his  con- 
science," as  he  said,  "  at  the  horror  of  such  a  bloody 
design,  he  had  had  no  rest  or  quietness  in  his  mind  till 
he  had  discovered  the  same." 

The  amount  of  the  information  was,  that  Mr.  John 
"Ward,  and  a  number  of  the  members  of  his  community, 
had  held  meetings,  either  in  Muggleswick  Park,  in  his 
own  house,  or  in  the  house  of  one  of  the  deacons  of  the 
church.  At  these  meetings,  after  taking  an  oath  of  se- 
cresy, they  had  conspired  the  destruction  of  the  present 
parliament ;  to  murder  all  bishops,  deans,  and  chapters, 
together  with  all  the  other  ministers  of  the  established 
church  and  the  gentry ;  to  destroy  the  book  of  common 
prayer ;  break  all  organs,  and  pull  down  all  churches. 
It  was  also  their  intention,  first  to  attack  Durham,  to  seize 
any  magazine  there,  and  what  money  there  was  in  the 
hands  of  the  treasurer ;  and  also  to  burn  the  town. 

Many  thousands  of  their  own  people,  they  said,  as 
well  as  among  the  Independents,  would  join  them,  and 
they  expected  to  be  reinforced  likewise  by  a  number  of 
papists.  The  rising  was  determined  to  be  on  the  25th 
March ;  but  they  had  delayed  it  that  they  might  be  the 
better  prepared. 

The  information  was  signed  by  the  following  ma- 
gistrates— Samuel  Davidson,  Cuthbert  Carr,  Thomas 
Featherstone,  and  Richard  Neele.  The  original  docu- 
ment is  now  preserved  among  the  Harleian  manuscripts. 

This  Anabaptist  plot,  as  it  was  called,  excited  a  great 
alarm  at  Durham  and  the  neighbourhood.*  Bishop 

*  "  The  Cavaliers,"  says  Surtees,  "who  saw  with  dismay,  the 
good  old  cause  rearing  its  ominous  head  in  more  places  than  the 
green  banks  of  the  Derwent,  had  every  occasion  to  preserve  the 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  .83 

Cosin  called  out  the  train  bands,  and  the  principal 
gentry  arid  their  retainers  embodied  themselves  in  their 
different  wards  in  the  county.  Several  Baptists  were 
seized  and  examined.  It  was  then  that  .Elrington  was 
brought  in  as  .evidence  against  them.  We  are  not  in- 
formed what  treatment  they  received,  whether  they  were 
confined,  or  .set  at  liberty;  but  John  Joplin,  of  the  Fox- 
holes, appears  to  have  been  tried,  but  was  acquitted.* 

ascendant  they  had  just  regained ;  they  were  still  sore  under  the 
bruises  inflicted  by  the  iron  mallet  of  Cromwell,  and  had  had 
scarcely  time  to  forget, 

'  The  Psalra. singing  rascals  who  drubbed  them  so  well.' 

To  the  Cavalier,  the  swell  of  a  noctural  hymn,  pealing  down  the 
mountain's  side,  from  some  conventicle -of  separatists,  must  have 
spoken  of  war,  disaster,  ruin,  and  defeat;  ofNaseby;  of  "Worcester; 
of  Long  Marston ;  and  loyal  addresses  were  poured  in,  and  armed 
associations  were  formed  in  all  quarters ;  and  such  a  face  of  gene- 
ral resistance  was  displayed,  that  the  malcontents  shrunk  quietly 
into  their' mew  without  daring  the  field." 

*  John  Joplin  was  the  34th  male  baptized  by  Mr.  Tillam. 
His  wife  Anne  was  baptized  5th  July,  1653,  at  the  Stokesley  re- 
vival, and  her  husband  was  baptized  on  the  14th,  after  Mr.  Tillam 
returned.  Mr.  Joplin  lived  at  a  farm  called  Foxholes,  in  the  town- 
ship of  Heyleyfield,  on  the  south  of  Muggleswick.  He  is  only 
once  referred  to  after  this  time ;  but  as  a  family  of  the  name  of 
Jopling  has  been  connected  with  the  Baptists  from  that  period,  it 
is  not  improbable  that  they  have  either  sprung  from  him,  or  that  he 
was  so  related  to  their  immediate  ancestors,  as  to  draw  them  to 
embrace  his  own  principles.  The  first  account  we  have  of  the  name 
in  Surtees'  History,  is  the  following :  By  Ind.  21  Sept.  1609,  John 
Jopling  purchased  from  "William  Fenwick  half  the  maynefeild  (the 
ancient  demesne).  Michael  Jopling  died,  seized  of  the  same 
lauds,  1634.  Andrew,  his  brother  and  heir,  aged  39.  The  only 
other  reference  in  Surtees,  to  this  name,  is  (page  300,  2nd  ed., 
vol.  1.)  where  we  have  the  following  intimation.  By  13  July, 
10  Jac.,  1612,  Edward  Musgrave,  of  Abbeyhouse,  alienated  his 
half  messuage,  called  the  Broomhill,  to  Robert  Smith,  whose 
daughter  Jane  married  John  Joplin.  This  J.  J.  seems  to  have  had 


84  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

This  acquittal,  and  the  dropping  of  all  farther  proceed- 
ings against  any  of  the  parties  implicated,  appears  to 
have  arisen  from  the  two  following  considerations: — 
The  first  is,  the  absence  of  all  corroborative  evidence. 
Several  parties,  as  witnesses,  were,  indeed,  examined  ; 
but  nothing  was  elicited  except  the  fears  and  rumours 
of  the  neighbourhood,  about  two  troops  of  horse  in 
arms,  and  two  men,  who,  they  said,  they  had  heard 
had  appeared  in  glittering  arms,  on  horseback;  and, 
that  one  Joseph  Hopper,  who,  it  seems,  had  been  some 
time  from  home,  was  supposed  to  be  one  of  them. 
Joseph  Hopper  himself  was  examined,  and  said,  "he  had 

by  her  two  sons,  Thomas  and  Ralph.  Ralph  died  in  1635,  and  had 
one  son,  John,  aged  1  year  and  8  months — said  to  possess  1  mess, 
and  3  acres,  value  £2.  Broomhill  is  in  the  chapelry  of  Ebchester. 
It  is  probable  these  Joplings,  or  Joplins,  for  the  name  is  evidently  the 
same,  like  the  Anguses,  had  one  original,  the  traces  of  whom  the 
lapse  of  years  has  obliterated,  and  that  the  descendants  became 
distinct  iamilies.  The  first  mention  of  the  name  in  the  Hexham 
church-book,  after  the  record  of  the  baptism  of  John  Joplin  and 
his  wife  Ann,  is  that  of  Andrew  Jopling,  as  subscribing  £10, 
along  with  Mr.  "Ward  and  others,  for  the  support  of  a  regular  mi- 
nistry. Surtees  mentions  an  Andrew  Jopling  as  a  freeholder  of 
Satley,  in  1687.  This  is  the  ancestor  of  the  present  Baptist 
family,  as  far  back  as  can  at  present  be  traced.  It  is  probable, 
as  already  hinted,  that  he  was  related  to  the  above  John  Joplin,  but 
what  that  relationship  was,  we  are  altogether  unacquainted  with. 
We  know  nothing  of  the  descendants  of  John ;  but  Joseph  the  son 
of  Andrew,  born  probably  about  1658,  is  said  to  have  married 
Deborah,  only  daughter  of  Henry  Angus,  of  Raw  house,  by 
whom  he  had  three  sons,  Joseph  of  Satley,  Caleb  of  Hetr,  and 
Silas  of  West  Butsfield ;  also  four  daughters  Sarah  Willey  of 
Waterhouses,  Hannah  Teasdale  of  West  Butsfield,  Deborah 
Watson,  of  the  same  place,  and  Mary  Annesley  of  Durham.  It  is 
said,  by  tradition,  that  Mrs.  Deborah  Watson  perished,  among  the 
snow,  one  Lord's  day  morning,  in  returning  from  the  meeting.  It 
was  an  ordinance  day.  She  was  mother  of  Adah,  wife  of  Mr. 
Michael  Garthorn,  of  Hamsterley,  oldest  son  of  Mr.  Michael 
Garthorn,  of  New  Raw. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  85 

been  abroad  five  weeks  in  Ireland,  to  see  some  friends 
there ;  but  he  had  not  acquainted  his  wife  with  his  in- 
tention, as  he  knew  she  would  be  unwilling  for  him  to 
go."  He  also  declared,  that  "he  knew  not  of  any 
neighbours  that  were  abroad."  Hopper's  evidence  was 
confirmed  by  one  who  had  seen  him  in  Ireland,  and  had 
returned  with  him.  "  Thus,"  says  Surtees,  the  histo- 
rian of  the  county  of  Durham,  "the  two  troops  of  Ana- 
baptist horse,  and  the  men  who  forded  the  Derwentwith 
glittering  swords,  are  reduced  into — Joseph  Hopper, 
who  took  a  five  week's  jaunt  to  Ireland,  and  had  reasons 
for  not  informing  his  wife." 

The  other  reason  of  acquittal  was  the  failure  of  El- 
ring 'ton's  evidence  in  the  case  of  certain  gentlemen,  whom 
he  had  accused  of  being  connected  with  the  plot.  Four 
were  accused— Sir  Henry  Witherington,-of  Northumberr 
land ;  Edwd.  Fenwick,  of  Stanton,  Esq. ;  Tim.  "Withering- 
ton,  Esq.,  Holmside ;  and  Capt.  Lilburne  of  Sunderland : 
the  two  last  were  detained  in  custody  for  three  months, 
and  were  then  liberated,  from  want  of  the  slightest 
evidence  to  criminate  them.  Mr.  Neele,  one  of  the 
magistrates,  to  whom  Elrington  had  given  the  informa- 
tion, in.  defending  the  Bishop  of  Durham,  himself,  and  his 
fellow  magistrates,  against  the  insinuation  of  some,  that 
they  had  not  taken  sufficient  pains  to  obtain  evidence 
against  Joblin,  thus  affirms  respecting  the  matter:  "I 
am  suje,  we  did  not  save  Joblin.  I  am  confident  that 
Judge  Twisden,  in  his  heart,  is  of  this  opinion ;  and  I 
think  my  lord,  (the  bishop),  is  bound  in  conscience,  in 
regard  to  his  country, — to  demand  of  the  judge,  whether 
any  justice  could  have  given  other  verdict  on  that  evi- 
dence." After  referring  to  the  failure  of  other  evidence 
attempted  to  be  brought  forward,  Mr.  Neele  adds, 
"If  Elrington's  evidence  will  serve  single,  how  'scapeth 
the  great  persons  in  Northumberland  that  he  accused?" 
Mr.  Surtees  himself  concludes  thus,  respecting  the  ac~ 

H 


86  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

cusation :  "  After  all,  Elrington  seems  to  have  been  an 
infamous  scoundrel ;  who,  finding  his  audience  had  itch- 
ing ears,  accused  every  one  who  leaned  to  the  Presby- 
tery, of  participation  in  the  plot." 

•tit  is  a  pleasing  consideration,  thus  to  be  able  to  res- 
cue from  infamy,  the  fair  name  of  our  fathers  and  pre- 
decessors in  profession  and  the  ministry ;  and  for  this 
we  are  deeply  indebted  to  the  careful  researches  of  Mr. 
Surtees,  and  his  impartial  remarks  on  the  whole  matter. 
It  is  well  to  be  approved  by  those  who  themselves  de- 
serve approbation.  As  to  Elrington,  his  name  stands 
connected  with  a  genus  that  have  never  been  an  honour 
either  to  themselves,  the  church,  or  the  world.  Judas 
.stands  prominent  as  the  first  of  the  genus,  in  the  early 
annals  of  the  Christian  church.  Elrington  stands  also 
prominent  in  the  list,  and  it  would  have  been  well  for 
mankind  if  he  had  been  the  last.* 

•  It  is  a  matter  of  regret  that  in  some  histories  of  Durham,  &c., 
where  this  conspiracy  is  referred  to,  no  notice  is  taken  of  the  acquit- 
tal of  the  parties.  This  is  the  case  in  the  Hist.,  &c.,by  Parsons 
and  White  of  Leeds,  2  vol.  pages  108,  ]  09.  It  was  there  the  writer 
first  met  with  the  incident,  and  felt  unable  to  disprove  the  accusa- 
tion, until  he  was  kindly  favoured  with  Mackenzie  and  Dent's 
history  of -Durham,  and  also  with  the  still  more  elaborate  and  satis- 
factory history  of  the  county  by  Robt.  Surtees,  of  Mainsforth,  Esq. 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  87 


CHAPTER  II. 

Effects  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity. — Baptist  Ministers  excluded.— 
,  Gabriel  Camelford — George  Larkham.— Henry  Blacket's  res- 
cue.—Hexham.— Plague  of  London. — Persecutions. — England 
—Scotland.— Pentland  Hills— Mackail.— Clarendon. — Tottie- 
bank. — Conventicle  Act. — Hexham. — Hawkshead  Hill— Tor- 
ver.— Death  of  Charles  II. — James  II.— Review  of  the  reign, 
of  the  Stuarts. — Sedgemoor.  —Executions. 

THE  remark  is  trite,  that  great  effects  often  proceed  from 
very  small  causes ;  but  no  remark  is  more  truly  verified 
in  the  history  of  the  world  and  the  church  of  God.  The 
passing  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity,*  May  19,  1662,  and 
which  was  carried  into  execution  August  24,  the  same 
year,  was  a  circumstance  which,  however  little  it  might 
be  noticed  by  the  politicians  of  Europe  at  the  time,  has 
had  a  material  effect  on  the  destinies  of  Britain,  and,  we 
may  add,  on  those  of  America,  and  even  of  the  world. 
It  had  an  especial  and  immediate  effect  on  the  state  of 
religion  in  England.  If  it  did  not  lay  the  foundation  of 
Dissent,  it,  at  least,  deepened  and  greatly  widened  that 
foundation,  and  has,  at  length,  erected  a  stately  fabric, 
in  harmony  with  which,  its  later,  but  not  less  splendid 
edifice — Methodism — is  diffusing  its  influence  and  its 

*  The  terms  of  this  act  were,  "  All  ministers  shall  be  ejected 
from  the  Established  Church  who  cannot  declare  unfeigned  assent 
and  consent  to  the  Articles  of  the  Church  of  England,  and  of  every 
thing  contained  in  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer ;  and  also,  that 
will  not  declare  on  oath,  that  it  is  not  lawful  on  any  pretence 
to  take  arms  against  the  King,  &c."  Some  of  those  who  framed 
this  act,  were  among  the  first  to  break  the  latter  part  of  it,  at 
least  when  their  own  views  and  salaries  were  concerned,  only 
twenty-six  years  afterwards,  on  the  expulsion  of  King  James  II., 
m  1688. 

.     H2 


88  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

blessings,  not  only  throughout  Britain,  hut  even  to  the 
utmost  limits  of  the  hahitahle  world.  "  The  wrath  of 
man  shall  praise  him." 

It  is  rather  remarkable,  that  among  the  two  thousand 
and  upwards  that  left  the  established  church  at  this  time, 
there  were  nearly  thirty  Baptists,  and,  among  these,  we 
find  the  names  of  four  persons,  referred  to  in  the  letters 
of  the  church-book  at  Hexham :- — Mr.  Henry  Jessey, 
Mr.  John  Tombes,  Mr.  John  Skinner,  and  Mr.  Paul 
Hobson.  The  labours  of  these,  however,  were  confined 
to  the  south,  and  we  are  only  acquainted  with  one  indi- 
vidual, among 'the  ejected,  whose  labours  blessed  the 
north.  This  was  Mr.  Gabriel  Camelford,  of  'Stavely,  in 
"Westmoreland,  who,  in  1669,  became  pastor  of  the" 
church  at  Tottlebank. 

There  was,  however,  another  of  the  Nonconformist 
ministers,  who,  if  not  a  Baptist,  was  yet  closely  connec- 
ted with  them ;  and  who  tended,  in  a  great  degree,  to 
originate  one  of  their  churches,  'and  discovered-  much 
brotherly  kindness  to  others.  This  was  Mr.  George 
Larkham,  of  Cockermouth,  already  referred  to.  from 
whose  memoranda  we  have  taken  the  only  authentic  in- 
foymation  qf  the  origin  of  the  church  at  Broughton,  to 
which  his  own  labours  had  greatly  conduced.  Both  Mr. 
Larkham  and  his  father  at  Tavistock  were  among  the 
ejected  ministers  of  1662.*  We  shall  have  occasion  to 

*  It  is  worthy  our  notice,  that,  generally  speaking,  in  most  se- 
cessions from  established  churches,  till  of  late  years,  there  have 
been  few  that  have  seceded  from  an  establishment  as  such.  This 
was  evidently  the  case  with  the  majority  of  those  who  left  the 
church  in  1662.  It  appears  that  had  they  been  allowed  to  carry 
on  divine  worship,  according  to  their  different  views,  as  regards 
prayer,  baptism,  &c.,  they  would  have  remained  in  the  church. 
This  was  the  case  even  with  some  of  the  Baptists.  It  has  only 
been  in  consequence  of  the  prevalence  of  right  views  of  the  spiri- 
tual character  of  jthe  Saviour's  kingdom,  that,  among  almost  all 
parties,  the  sentiment  is  progressing — that  ecclesiastical  establish- 


TN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  89 

^mention  Mr.  George  Larkhain,  of  Coekermouth,  after- 
wards ;  but,  in  the  meantime,  we  are  led  to  notice  a  few 
interesting  circumstances  respecting  an  individual,  who 
for  nearly  half  a  century,  from  about  this  time,  became 
an  eminent  instrument,  in  assisting  Mr.  Ward  on  the 
Derwent,  and  of  extending  the  cause  to  his  own  resi- 
dence, on  the  banks  of  the  Wear. 

Mr.  Henry  Blacket  of  Bitchburn,  near  to  Bishop- 
Auckland,  County  of  Durham,  was  born !  at  Dublin, 
October  23rd,  1639.  Who  his  father  was, — whether  he 
was  a  native  of  Ireland,  or  only  a  sojourner  there,  we 
are  not  informed.  The  only  thing  we  know  with  cer- 
tainty, is,  that  he  left  Dublin,  with  his  family,  on  the  eve 
of  what  is  usually  called  the  Irish  Massacre,  23rd  Octo- 
ber, 1641,  when  Henry  had  completed  his  second  year, 
and  that  he  then  came  to  England. 

The  circumstances  connected  with  the  escape  of  Mr. 
Blacket  and  his  family,  are  rather  interesting.  The 
servant  in  the  family  was  a  catholic,  and  had  become 
acquainted  with  the  design  of  her  party,  to  attack  the 
Castle  of  Dublin,  on  the  day  referred  to.  Being  thus 
made  alive  to  all  the  horrors  that  were  likely  to  ensue, 
she  felt  distressed  on  account  of  the  pious  people  with 
whom  she  lived,  and  particularly  on  account  of  the  in- 
fant Henry;  with  whom  she  had  usually  slept,  and  to 
whom  she  was,  in  consequence,  warmly  attached.  In 
putting  him  to  bed  on  the  evening  of  the  22nd"  of  Octo- 

ments  are  much  more  detrimental  to  real  religion  than  favourable 
to  it — that  they  have  been  the  fruitful  source,  in  all  ages,  of  religious, 
and,  in  many  instances,  of  civil  persecution  and  bloodshed — that 
pecuniary  support,  and  superiority  of  civil  privilege,  being  given  to 
one  favourite  party,  among  the  many  into  which  religion  is  divided, 
is  the  most  efficient  way,  to  make  one  portion  of  society  injure 
another ;  cause  disaffection  to  the  government ;  and  promote  aliena- 
tion of  feeling,  in  the  mass  of  the  community ;  instead  of  that 
endearment  that  ought  to  blend  together  the  various  links  of 
society. 

H3 


510  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

ber,  she  was  seen  to  weep  over  Mm,  and  overheard  to 
say  to  him,  as  she  most  tenderly  embraced  him,  "  My 
dear  Henry,  farewell,  I  shall  never  sleep  with  thee 
again  I"    Henry's  parents  being  informed  of  this,  by 
those  who  had  overheard  the  unusual  and  bitter  wailing 
of  the  girl,  called  her,  and  affectionately  and  anxiously 
enquired  the  reason  of  her  grief.    She  hesitated.    Fear 
for  her,  own  life,  fidelity  to  the  party  she  was  connected 
with,  affection  for  the  family  she  served,  and  warm 
attachment  to  her  little  charge,  all  these  combined, 
wrought  powerfully  within  her  throbbing  bosom,  and,  at 
length,  humanity  and  endearment  triumphing  over  her 
religious  scruples  and  bloody  fidelity,  she  divulged 
the  Roman  Catholic  secret  of  the  intended  attack  on  the 
Protestants  of  Dublin  next  day.    On  hearing  this  awful 
disclosure,  Henry's  parents  determined  to  leave  the  Irish 
capital  forthwith,  and  to  embark,  as  soon  as  possible,  for 
England.*  They  did  so ;  but  where  they  landed,  or  set- 
tled, is  not  known.    It  is  probable  it  was  the  North  of 
England.     The  name  is  borne  by  several  families  that 
live  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  residence  of  Henry  in 
his  advanced  years,  when  he  became  known  as  a  minis- 
ter of  the  gospel.   Some,  also,  of  his  descendants,  in  the 
same  vicinity,  have,  intermingled  in  their  veins,  both  his 
blood  and  that  of  the  Scottish  fugitive,  Angus,  that  left 
his  home  from  the  persecuting  fury  of  Cardinal  Beaton, 
in  1546. 

1663. — At-  the  time  when  Elrington  lodged  his  infor- 
mation against  the  church  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Ward, 
Mr.  Henry  Blacket  was  in  his  twenty-fourth  year.  He 
is  said,  when  he  died,  in  1705,  to  have  been  pastor  of 
the  church  on  the  Derwent  and  the  Wear,  upwards  of 
forty  years.  Such  being  the  case,  it  must  have  been 

*  This  circumstance  is  narrated  by  Mr.  Charles  "Whitfield,  in 
his  printed  circular  letter  of  the  Northern  Association,  to  the  dif- 
ferent churches,  in  1801. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  91 

about  the  present  period  of  our  history  that  he  would 
be  ordained  as  co-pastor  with  Mr.  Ward.  When  he 
was  converted  to  God,  or  by  what  means,  or  when,  or 
how,  he  became  a  Baptist,  and  acquainted  and  connec- 
ted with  Mr.  Ward,  neither  history  nor  tradition  in- 
forms us.  His  name  is  scarcely  ever  mentioned,  in  the 
records  of  the  church  over  which  he  was  bishop,  the 
entries  of  which  are  few,  after  the  period  of  the  Restora- 
tion. But  though  his  name  is  rarely  mentioned,  in  any 
of  the  old  documents  of  the  church,  he  still  performed 
an  important  part,  in  sustaining  and  handing  down  the 
cause  to  future  generations.  We  shall  have  occasion 
to  notice  him  again,  at  the  termination  of  his  useful 
career,  at  the  beginning  of  the  eighteenth  century. 

1664. — During  the  five  following  years,  we  have  few 
entries,  as  just  now  intimated,  in  the  church-book  of 
Hexham,  and  little  information  from  any  other  quarter. 
The  years  themselves  were,  however,  very  eventful,  in 
the  history  of  Nonconformity,  in  the  country.  In  the  year 
1664,  an  act  was  passed  for  suppressing  seditious  con- 
venticles. It  enacted  banishment  for  not  going  to  church, 
and  death,  without  benefit  of  clergy,  on  return;  and  any 
one  going  to  a  place,  where  there  were  five  or  more  per- 
sons, on  pretence  of  worship,  distinct  from  the  Church  of 
England,  should  suffer,  for  the  first  offence,  three  months 
imprisonment,  and  be  fined  five  pounds;  for  the  second 
offence,  six  months,  and  pay  ten.  pounds ;  and  for  the  third 
offence,  banishment  for  seven  years.  The  working  of 
this  act  was  intrusted  to  single  magistrates,  without  a 
jury,  the  oath  of  the  informer  being  deemed  quite  suf- 
cient.*  Such  is  one  of  the  awful  benefits  of  an  esta- 
blished church,  when  its  power,  to  enforce  uniformity,  is 
equal  to  its  disposition. 

•  Ivimey's  History,  Vol.  i.,  page  335—355.  Crosby,  Vol.  ii,, 
page  185 — 204i 


92  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

This  year,  at  Aylesbury,  in  Buckinghamshire,  two 
houses  were  converted  into  a  gaol — the  prison-house 
being  too  small.  Sentence  of  death  was  passed,  like- 
wise, on  ten  men  and  two  women,  and  would  have  been 
carried  into  execution,  had  it  not  been  for  the  interposi- 
tion of  Mr.  William  Kiffen,  of  London.*  Mr.  Benjamin . 
Keach,  a  Baptist  minister,  was  pilloried  in  two  different 
towns,  for  his  having  written  a  child's  primer,  or  first 
book,  in  which  were  asserted  believers'  baptism,  and  a 
belief  of  the  millenium.  The  people  .met  now  at  mid- 
night ;  but  even  then  they  were  disturbed,  but  never 
made  any  resistance.  This  was  the  case,  generally 
speaking,  with  the  Independents,  Quakers,  Baptists, 
and  others,  at  this  woeful  period  of  the  history  of  our 
beloved  country. 

1665. — In  1665,  came  to  London,  that  awful  scourge, 
the  plague.  Eight  or  ten  thousand  persons  died  in  a 
week;  the  grass  grew  in  the  streets;  the  rich  and  the 
clergy  fled;  the  middle  classes,  the  poor,  and  the  Non- 
conformist ministers  were  left  behind ;  and,  to  improve 
matters,  the  head  of  the  church,  the  profligate  Charles, 
and  the  able,  but,  as  it  happened  in  the  end,  unwise 
Clarendon,  imposed  on  the  Nonconformists,  the  Oxford, 
or  Five  Mile  Act.  This  act  prohibited  any  minister, 
coming  within  five  miles  of  any  city  or  corporation. 
The  sufferings  of  the  Dissenters  were  now  extreme ;  but 
they  remained  true  to  their  principles. 

1666. — In  1666,  Scotland  suffered  severely,  in  resist- 
ing conscientiously  the  imposition  of  Prelacy.  Goaded 

*  Mr.  Wm.  Kiffen  was  a  Baptist  minister  in  London,  aiid  a 
rich  merchant.  He  was,  on  account  of  his  wealth  and  liberality 
to  the  king,  rather  a  favourite  at  court.  It  is  said,  the  king  sent 
to  him  one  day  for  a  loan  of  £40,000.  Mr.  Kiffen,  knowing  he 
would  have  to  lose  it  all,  if  advanced,  sent  to  his  majesty  a  cheque 
for  £10,000,  saying,  as  it  was  not  convenient  to  send  the  loan  of 
the  whole  sum,  he  had  sent  this  as  a  present;  and  thus,  said 
Mr.  Kiffen,  I  saved  £30,000.— Ivimey's  Life  ofKijfen,p.  54. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  .        9$ 

to  madness,  the  people  rose  against  their  oppressors ; 
hut  though,  in  some  instances,  successful,  they  were 
routed  on  the  Pentland  Hills,  and  found  the  truth  of  the 
saying,  "  they  that  take  the  sword,  shall  perish  by  the 
sword."  Among  the  prisoners  taken,  was  the  distin- 
guished Hugh  Mackail,  who  died  iu  a  manner  so  trium- 
phant, as  was  perhaps  never  exceeded  by  mortal.* 
The  sad  calamity  of  the  fire  in  London  look  place  this 
year,  and  in  the  following  year  the  great,  brut  revenge- 
ful-Clarendon, was  banished.  The  day  of  calamity  came 
to  him,  which  he  had  brought  to  thousands. 

The  removal  of  Clarendon,  and  some  influential  pre- 
lates, from  the  councils  of  the  king,  tended  to  the  grant- 

.'*  The  battle  of  Pentland  Hills  was  fought  28th  November, 
1666,  between  the  Scotch  Covenanters,  under  Colonel  Wallace, 
and  the  ting's  troops,  under  General  Dalziel.  About  fifty  of  the 
Covenanters  were  tilled  in  the  engagement,  and  as  many  were 
taten  prisoners.  Hugh  Mackail  was  not  in  the  fight,  though  with 
the  -Covenanters'  army  .a -short  time  before..  He  had,  however, 
previously  to  this,  given  offence  to  Archbishop"  Sharp,  and  his 
death  was  determined  on.  His  leg  was  put  in  the  boot,  and 
seven  or  eight  successive  blows  had  crushed  the  flesh  and  sinews 
to  the  very  bone.  Thrice  more  the  wedge  was  driven  in,  till  the 
bone  itself  was  shattered,  and  a  heavy  swoon  succeeded.  He  was 
afterwards  condemned  to  die.  His  last  speech  is  inexpressibly 
sublime  in  its  conclusion.  "And  now  I  leave  off  to  speat  any 
more  to  creatures,  and  turn  my  speech  to  thee,  O  Lord.  And  now 
I  begin:  my  intercourse  with  God,  that  will  never  be  brolen  off. 
Farewell  father  and  mother,  friends  and  relations ;  farewell  the 
world  and  all  delights;  farewell  meat  and  drink;  farewell  sun, 
moon,  and  stars;  welcome  God  and  Father;  welcome  sweet  Jesus 
the  Mediator  of  the  new  covenant;  welcome  blessed  Spirit  of  grace, 
and  God  of  all  consolation;  welcome  glory;  welcome  eternal  life; 
welcome  death.  O  Lord,  into  thy  hands  I  commit  my  spirit,  for 
thou  hast  redeemed  my  soul,  Lord  God  of  truth."  "  Till  the  re- 
cords of  time  shall  have  melted  into  those  of  eternity,"  says  the 
historian,  "the  name  of  that  young  Christian  martyr  will  be  held 
in  most  affectionate  remembrance  and  fervent  admiration." — 
Hetherington's  History  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  page  137. 


91  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

ing  of  some  degree  of  indulgence  to  the  Nonconformists, 
which  they  endeavoured  to  improve,  by  increased  dili- 
gence in  their  high  and  holy  vocation  as  Christians. 
This  was  the  case  in  the  north  of  the  kingdom,  as  well 
as  elsewhere,  and  several  churches,  at  this  time,  ap- 
pear to  have  sprung  into  existence. 

1667-1670. — Amongst  other  churches,  dating  their 
commencement  about  this  time,  was  one  at  Tottlebank, 
near  Ulverstone,  in  the  North  of  Lancashire,  which  was 
formed,  August  18th,  1669,  probably  under  the  preach- 
ing of  the  gospel,  by  Mr.  .Gabriel  Camelford,  late  of 
Stavely,  Westmoreland,  already  mentioned.  The  fol- 
lowing is  the  account  giving  of  him  by  Palmer.  "Stavely 
chapel,  in  "Westmoreland,  on  the  borders  of  Lancashire, 
Mr.  Gabriel  Camelford."  After  his  ejectment,  he  was  a 
very  useful  preacher  in  the  parts  adjacent,  and  was  an 
instrument  in  converting  many,  particularly  in  Furness- 
Fells,  beyond  the  Sands,  who  afterwards  formed  them- 
selves into  a  dissenting  church,  upon  the  plan  of  mixed 
communion  (being  partly  Independents  and  partly  Bap- 
tists), on  this  remarkably  catholic  principle,  "We  de- 
clare ourselves  willing  and  ready  to  receive  into  our 
communion  all  who  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sin- 
cerity," &c. 

That  this  was  the  church  at  Tottlebank,  appears  not 
only  from  the  situation  described,  but  from  the  farther 
remark,  "Of  this  church  Mr.  Sedgefield  was  pastor,  for 
upwards  of  forty  years ;  and  it  continued  upon  the  same 
catholic  plan."  "This  account,"  he  adds,  "was  com- 
municated by  a  son  of  his,  Mr.  John  Sedgefield  of 
Frome,  who  was  himself  a  member  of  this  church,  and 
had  personally  known  some  of  the  aged  members,  that 
were  converted,  by  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Camelford."* 
Mr.  Sedgefield  was  minister  of  Tottlebank,  from  1725 
to  1765.  .  ' 

*  Palmer's  Nonconformists'  Memorial,  Vol.  ii. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  95 

The  account  given  of  the  formation  of  this  church,  is 
the  following:  "The  18th  day  of  the  6th  month,  called 
August,  1669,  a  church  of  Christ  was  formed  in  order, 
and  sat  down  together,  in  the  fellowship  and  order  of 
the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  at  the  house  of  "William 
Rawlinson,  of  Tottlebank,  in  Coulton,  in  Furness.  There 
were  present,  and  assisted,  Mr.  George  Larkham,*  pas- 
tor of  a  church  of  Christ  in  Cumberland,  (Cockermouth) 
and  Mr.  Roger  Sawrey  of  Broughton,  a  member  of  that 
particular  church  of  Christ  in  London,  of  which  Mr. 
George  Coakine  is  teaching  elder.  The  persons  joining 
themselves,  at  this  time,  (were)  Gabriel  Camelford, 
Hugh  Towers,  William  Towers,  James  Towers,  Joseph 
Towers,  Jaines  Fisher,  Henry.  Jackson."  The  above 
named  Gabriel  Camelford,  appears  to  have  been  the 
first  pastor,  as  he  is  termed,  "the  teaching  elder."  In 
1670,  two  deacons  were  elected,  William  and  James 
Towers.  Such  was  the  basis  of  the  church  at  Tottlebank, 
but  the  cause  in  the  neighbourhood  did  not  stop  here,  it 
extended  farther  to  the  north,  and,  in  a  few  years,  the 
nucleus  of  another  church  was  formed,  at  Hawksheadhill 
and  the  vicinity;  but  we  must  now  review  the  pro- 
gress of  the  cause  on  the  banks  of  the  Tyne. 

1671-1674. — "We  are  thus  led  onwards  to  the  year  1674. 
At  that  time  the  section  of  the  church  under  the  care  of 
Mr.  Richard  Ord,  appears  to  have  sunk  into  a  very  low 
condition,  having  much  neglected  the  assembling  them- 
selves together  for  mutual  edification.  This  might,  in 
part,  have  arisen  from  the  persecutions  which,  at  that 
time,  prevailed  throughout  Britain,  owing  to  the  in- 

*  This  evinces  the  interest  these  two  good  men,  Mr.  Larkham 
and  Mr.  Camelford,  took  in  each  other.  They  had,  probably, 
known  and  loved  each  other  when  ministers  in  the  Establishment, 
and  now,  seven  years  after  their  ejectment,  they  meet — the  one 
at  the  ordination  of  the  other. 


96  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

creased  stringency  of  the  Conventicle  Act,*  by  a  hew 
bill  on  the  subject,  llth  April,  1670,  wherein  it  was  en- 
acted as  follows :  "  The  preachers  or  teachers  in  any 
Conventicle,  shall  forfeit  twenty  pounds  for  the  first, 
and  forty  for  the  second  oflence ;  and  all,  who  knowing- 
ly shall  suffer  .any  Conventicles  in  their  houses,  barns, 
&c.,  shall  forfeit  twenty  pounds,"  &c.  The  justices  of 
the  peace,  on  the  oath  of  two  witnesses,  had  power  to 
distrain  for  the  fines ;  and,  by  some  of  them,  this  was 
done  with  the  utmost  rigour,  although  such  doings  were 
as  much  opposed,  by  the  popular  feelings,  then,  as,  in 
more  modern  times,  when  similar  distraints  have  been 
imposed  for  church  rates.f 

*  In  addition  to  this  act,  and  that  of  the  Act  of  Uniformity,  there 
were  .other  three  acts  passed  this  reign,  which  tended  .much  to 
annoy  and  deeply  to  irritate  the  Nonconformists— the  men  whose 
honesty  would  not  allow  them  to  be  hypocrites — these  were,  1st, 
The  Corporation  Act, passedin  1661,  thatno  person  should  be  elected 
to  hold  an  office  in  any  Corporation  that  had  not  taken  the  sacra- 
ment according  ito  the  rites  of  £he  Church  of- England.  2nd,  'The 
Oxford  Act,  in  1665,  prohibiting  any  ejected  minister  .from  preach- 
ing within  five  miles  of  a  corporate  town,  or  his  former  benefice. 
3rd,  The  Test  Act,  in  1673,  by  which  heavy  penalties  were  levied 
upon  any  that  should  accept  of  any  office  of  trust  or  profit,  without 
receiving  the  sacrament  according  to  the  rites  of  the  Church  of 
England.  The  act  of  Uniformity. still  remains.  The  act  of  To- 
leration removed  the  Conventicle  and  Oxford  acts,  and  the  Cor- 
poration and  Tests  acts  were  removed  in  1828. 

t  >Mr.  Ivimey  has  preserved  a  document  printed  at  the  time,  in 
which  are  detailed  several  very  affecting  accounts  of  the  doings  of 
certain  magistrates,  arising  from  this  and  other  acts  at  this  time. 
"  Many  person  were  fined  for  assembling  in  the  house  of  John 
Fen,  and  some  constables  were  .fined  £5  each  for  not  assisting 
Mr.  Foster,  the  justice  of  the  peace.  One  Battisoii  fined  John  Bqr- 
dolf  £10.  The  common  people  interposed,  and  the  distraint  .was 
prevented.  He. then  went  to  Edwd.  Cpyington's  shop,  to  fine..his 
wife  5s.  for  being  at  a  meeting.  The  officers  would  .not  distrain, 
and  Battison  took  away  a  brass  kettle.  Then  he  went  to  John 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  97 

-  "Whether  this  act  had  any  influence  on  the  Baptists  in 
Hexham,  or  its  neighbourhood,  in  causing  them  to  relax 
in  their  religious  profession,  we  have  not  the   direct 
means  of  affirming;  but  we  know  who  has  said,  that 
when'  persecution  arises  because  of  the  word,  there  are 
•some  at  least,  who  become  offended ;  and  when  iniquity 
abounds,  the  love  of  many  waxes  cold.    It  requires  prin- 
ciple of  no  common  order  to  take  joyfully  the  spoiling  of 
our  goods.*    There  might  be  some  of  this  description  at 

Spencer's  for  a  fine  of  40s.,  and  Ms  shop  being  locked,  the  soldiers 
and  other  constables  were  now  called  in,  and  bars  and  hammers 
were  wanted  to  break  open  a  malt  house  door,  but  none  of  the  people 
would  lend  any  to  do  so.  Fourteen  quarters  of  malt  being  dis- 
trained, no  porters  would  carry  it  ofF,.saying  they  would  be  hanged, 
drawn,  and  quartered,  before  they  would  assist  in  that  work. 
Next  Lord's  day,  the  fines  were  doubled  on  the  meeters,  as  they 
were  called.  The  first  distraint  was  made  on  Nicholas  Hawkins 
of  40s.,  but  the  officers  would  not  enter,  the  small-pox  being  in 
the  house.  Michael  Shepherd  was  fined  5s.,  for  not  being  at 
church,  and  Is.  more,  for  asking  who  could  swear  it.  The  next, 
Thomas  Honeylove,  a  journeyman  shoe-maker,  fined  40s.,  his 
children  being  under  small-pox,  the  officers  would  not  enter, 
Thomas  Cpwper,  a  heel-maker,  was  distrained  of  wood,  three 
cart  loads  for  a  40s.  fine.  A  poor  man,  Daniel  Rich,  was  fined 
5s.,  on  account  of  his  wife;  he  had  his  best  wearing  coat  dis- 
trained. John  Spencer,  a  grocer,  had  his  goods  distrained  for 
40s.  William  Jay,  a  baker,  5s.  Edward  Isaac,  a  blacksmith, 
was  distrained  in  locks,  shovels,  and  his  very  anvil,  for  40s. 
Thomas  Arthur,  a  pipe  maker,  for"£5.  His  door  being  locked,  it 
was  broken  open,  and  goods  distrained  for  £11.  Arthur  said, 

*  What  shall  my  children  do  ?'     Mr.  Foster  replied,  '  So -long  as 
he  continued  a  rebel,  his  children  must  starve.'     Mrs.  Tilney,  a 
somewhat  wealthy  widow,  was  distrained  for  about  £40  or  £50, 
for  a  fine  of  twenty,"  &c. — Ivimey's  History  of  the  Baptists^ 
vol.  i.^p.  365— 376. 

*  It  has  been  supposed  that  if  150,000  families  of  .Nonconform- 
ists had  lost  £4  each  annually,  by  fines,  &c.,  the  amount  would 
be  £14,000,000  extracted  from  them  from  1660  to  1688,  besides 
60,000  lives  that  perished,  either  by  imprisonment,  banishment, 

I 


98  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Hexham,  but  they  appear  to  have  been  few ;  and,  what- 
ever were  the  causes,  it  is  the  melancholy  fact,  that  in 
1674,  there  was  a  sad  falling  away.  They  declined,  it 
is  said,  from  their  meetings  and  duties.  "  They  forgot 
their  ROCK,  whereon  miserable  effects  ensued." 

The  good  people  on  the  Derwent,  however,  in  the 
main,  preserved  their  stedfastness,  and  used  every 
means  to  reprove  and  rectify  their  friends  on  the  Tyne. 
Their  ministers,  Messrs.  Ward  and  Blenkinsop,  went 
to  Dotland  Park,  within  four  miles  of  Hexham,  to  meet 
them,  and  endeavour  to  animate  them  in  the  good  ways 
of  the  Lord.  The  interview  had  the  desired  effect. 
The  Hexham  people  were  humbled  on  account  of  their 
condition,  lamented  their  feebleness,  owing  to  the  scan- 
tiness of  their  number,  and  their  distance  from  one  an- 
other, which  prevented  their  meeting  so  often  as  they 
should.  It  was  agreed,  that  they  should  hold  another 
meeting,  to  carry  into  effect  a  more  thorough  revival. 

About  this  time,  they  were  visited  by  Mr.  Turner  of 
Newcastle,  who  strenuously  urged  them  to  proceed  in 
these  measures,  and  to  make  all  the  use  they  could  of 
the  Derwent  friends,  to  raise  them  from  their  low  state. 
They  did  so;  and  Messrs.  "Ward,  Blenkinsop,  and 
Orde,  visiting  the  distant  portion  of  the  members,  were 
well  received,  and  a  day  was  appointed  for  a  general 
meeting,  that  they  might  begin  anew  to  serve  the  Lord. 
This  meeting  took  place  2?th  December,  the  same  year, 

or  death.  About  20,000  Covenanters,  in  one  way  or  another,  were 
put  to  death  in  Scotland.  On  such  a  review  as  this  (were  we 
even  to  deduct  the  half  of  the  above  statements)  how  can  the 
Church  of  England  raise  the  cry  of  persecution  against  the  Ho- 
manists  ?  The  five  years  of  the  reign  of  bloody  Mary  and  Catho- 
lic persecution,  were  short  compared  with  Ihe  twenty-eight  years 
of  the  persecution  of  black  Prelacy,  under  the  reigns  of  the  bloody 
Charles  and  James,  to  which  are  to  be  added  about  other  ninety 
years,  from  Henry  VIII.  to  the  commencement  of  the  eivil  wars, 
in  1642. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  99 

and  it  is  said  they  gave  themselves  afresh  to  the  Lord, 
and  to  one  another.  Their  number  was  only  thir- 
teen, but  Messrs.  "Ward  and  Blenkinsop  declared  their 
satisfaction  with  them,  and  pronounced  them  an  orderly 
church.  They  all  then  partook  of  the  Lord's  Supper, 
which  was  administered  by  Mr.  Ward. 

1675 — 1676. — In  the  year  1675  two  members  were 
added  to  the  above  thirteen,  and  other  two  in  1676. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  year  1676  one  of  the  members 
was  dismissed  to  the  church  at  Newcastle.  The  follow- 
ing is  the  letter  that  was  written  on  the  occasion  :  it  is 
the  only  one  of  Mr.  Orde's  that  we -are  acquainted  with, 
which  has  been  preserved  from  the  destroying  hand  of 
time. 

"To  the  church  of  Christ,  walking  in  the  order  of  the  gospel, 
at  Newcastle,  the  poor,  late  degenerate,  and  now  through  grace, 
revived  plant,  in  and  about  Hexham,  sends  greeting, 
"Beloved  of  God  and  of  us,  for  his  sake,  \ve  salute  you  in  the 
ame  of  our  King  Jesus,  praying  that,  as  you  and  we  have  re- 
ceived Christ  Jesus,  so  we  may  walk  in  him,  and  may  abound 
more  and  more  to  the  praise  of  his  rich  grace,  whereby  he  hath 
called  us  to  his  kingdom  and  glory  for  ever. 

"Brethren,  we  thereby  recommend  to  your  care  and  guarde,  our 
beloved  sister  Margrett  Atcheson,  who  became  one  with  us,  in 
ye  year  (53) ;  and  our  sister  (to  our  knowedge)  hath  walked  as 
becomes  the  gospel.  Sometimes  living  at  Newcastle,  and  some- 
times at  Hexham,  and  this  last  time  also  whilst  she  lived  with 
us,  hath  had  communion  with  us  in  the  prtious  ordinances  of  our 
Father's  house.  Her,  therefore,  (tho'  weak)  receive,  as  Christ, 
hath  received  us,  to  the  glory  of  God.  Ro.  xv.  7.  "Watching  over 
her,  with  all  tenderness,  as  becometh  saints.  So  will  you  answer 
the  law  of  your  relation,  and  engage  us,  who  are 

'      ,  -\    Your  brethren  in  ye  faith  and 

Signed  in  ye  name 

„   °     ,.   ,        ,   ,  fellowship  of  ye  gospel, 

of  yt   little    whole  *    n *    8  J.  ' 

.  1  Rich.  Orde,  Michael  Adon 

ye   23d   of    ye    llth  V  ' 

I  Humphrey  Hughes,  Adam 

mo.,  (75)  (23d  Jany.  c*                u  i.    «.  ™       J 

I  Stevenson,  Robert  Ellwood, 

1676m)  J  John  Ellwood." 

12 


100  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

One  was  added  in  ]677,  but  in  1678  several  were 
excommunicated;  one,  for  deserting  the  meetings  of 
the  church,  another,  for  joining  the  Quakers,  and  a 
third,  for  becominga  Papist.  A  fourth  was  excluded 
and  restored. 

In  1678,  June  15,  a  church  was  formed  at  Torver, 
and  afterwards  known  as  the  church  at  Hawkshead- 
hill,  in  Furness-fells,  Lancashire,  by  the  joint  efforts  of 
Messrs.  "Ward  and  Blenkinsop.*  Mr.  Ward,  it  seems, 
had  to  visit  this  district  once  in  eight  weeks.  This  was 
owing,  in  all  probability,  to  his  having  to  superintend 
the  mines  in  that  district  as  wel]  as  in  his  own  neigh- 
bourhood of  Muggleswick.  Mr.  Blenkinsop  is  said  to 
have  been  minister  of  great  Broughton,  but  as  his  name 
is  mentioned  in  connexion  with  Mr.  Ward's,  in  1774,  in 
the  revival  of  the  church  at  Hexham,  it  is  likely,  that  he 
supplied  frequently  at  Broughton  at  this  time.  Mr. 
Gamelford's  name  is  not  mentioned  in  the  incorpora- 
tion of  the  church,  nor  yet  that  of  Mr.  Larkham.  The 
reasons  are  not  stated,,  and  we  know  of  no  satisfactory 
conjecture. 

The  following  is  the  account  given  of  the  formation  of 
this  church,  from  an  old  copy  of  its  original  formationy 
in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Harbottle  of  Accrington,  Lan- 
cashire, whose  father,  Mr.  Thomas  Harbottle,  was  long; 
pastor  at  Hawksheadhill : — "  In  the  year  of  our  Lord 
1678,  and  on  the  15th  day  of  the  4th  month,  it  having; 
pleased  God,  b}r  his  special  grace,  to  call  a  people,  and 
raise  them  up  for  himself,  in  measure  out  of  the  world,, 
and  put  them  into  his  holy  fear  and  service,  in  and 
about  Torver,  in  Lancashire,  who  have,  the  day  and 
year  above  written,  in  the  presence  of  and  before  Joha 

*  Torver  lies  six  or  seven  miles  south-west  of  HawksheadhilL 
The  latter,  would,  probably,  become  the  principal  station  for  the, 
church,  on  the  settlement  of  Mr.  George  Braithwaite,  in  1707j 
endowment,  which  he  gave,  being  in  that  place. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OP  ENGLAND.  101 

"Ward  and  ,Robert  Blenkinsop,  messengers  and  elders, 
from  the  church  of  Christ,  in  Derwentwater-side,  in  and 
about  Muggleswick  park;  first  giving  up  ourselves  to 
the  Lord  and  to  one  another,  according  to  the  will  of 
God,  promising  by  help  of  divine  grace,  to  walk  as  be- 
cometh  saints,  in  the  order  of  the  gospel,  testifying  the 
same  by  subscribing  their  names, — John  Dickeson,  John 
Rawlinson,  Thomas  Braithwaite,"  &c.,  up  to  thirty- 
one,  including  not  only  the  original  members,  but  all 
those  added  till  Feb.  10th,  1723. 

In  1680  the  name  of  the  last  person  baptized  at 
Hexham,  under  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Richard  Orde,  is 
enrolled ;  and  the  last  entry  in  the  church-book,  appa- 
rently in  his  hand,  is  in  1682,  2d.  5mo.,  and  contains 
the  exclusion  of  one,  who  was  the  fifth  baptized  by  Mr. 
Tillam,  but  who  had  given  the  society  much  grief  and 
trouble,  by  a  tendency  to  occasional  but  excessive  irie-^ 
briation.*  How  long  Mr.  Orde  lived  after  this  we  have 
no  means  of  knowing,  but  it  seems  probable,  that 
after  his  decease,  the  Baptists  on  the  Tyneside  would 
enjoy  the  teaching  of  Messrs.  "Ward,  Blacket,  and 
others,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Angus  family,  at  the 
Raw  House,  or  Hindley  farms,  and  at  the  Juniper  Dye 
House,  near  Hexham. 

1683— 1688.— From  the  year  1682  to  1696  there  are 
no  written  documents  existing,  so  far  as  we  know,  of 
any  of  the  churches ;  but,  in  the  meantime,  some  mighty 
events  were  transpiring  in  the  nation,  which  materially 
affected  the  state  of  religion,  from  the  one  end  of  the 
island  to  the  other.  On  the  6th  February,  1685, 
Charles  the  Second  was  called  to  his  final  account.  The 
event  was  deprecated  by  the  nation,  not  from  any  af- 

*  In  connexion  with  two  names  we  have  two  later  entries,  name- 
ly, Ann  Ellwood,  died  14th  5th  mo. ;  and  Adam  Stevenson,  mort 
26th  llth  mo.,  1682.  (26  Jany.  1683.) 

i3 


102  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

fection  to  this  profligate,  indolent,   base,  and   cruel- 
hearted  man,  but  from  the  fear  of  a  still  worse  person; 
filling  the  throne,  namely,  his  infatuated  and  popish, 
brother,  the  Duke  of  York.     The  Duke,  however,  suc- 
ceeded, notwithstanding  all  opposition,  by  the  style  of 
James  the  Second,  and  during  the  five  years  of  his 
reign,  by  craft  and  cruelty,  sought  to  accomplish  fhs 
object  of  his  heart,  the  re-establishment  of  Popery  in 
Britain.    He  failed,  and  was  forced  to  leave  the  king- 
dom in  1688,  and  died  an  exile  in  France,  in  1701. 

We  can  here  scarcely  avoid  adverting  to  the  lesson 
taught  us,  by  the  working  of  the  Church  and  State  prin- 
ciple, in  Britain,  under  the  reign  of  the  Stuart  family, 
during  the  85  years  they  held  the  sceptre  on  the  British 
throne.  During  this  period,  the  operation  of  the  two 
principles,  arising  out  of  the  union  of  Church  and  State, 
namely,  persecution  and  resistance,  already  alluded  to, 
were  seen  in  all  their  horrors.  Persecution,  in  th.e  star 
chamber  and  high  court  of  commission,  became  so  terri- 
fic, that  resistance  became  national,  and  rose  to  such  a 
pitch  as  to  prostrate  both  monarchy  and  prelacy  in  the 
dust.  The  reign  of  the  saints, — as  the  time  of  the  Com- 
monwealth was  sneeringly  called, — with  all  its  good  and 
all  its  evil, — part  of  which  was  still  a  share  of  Church 
and  State  persecution, — gave  way  to  the  reign  of  "strum- 
pets"— a  reign  the  most  heartless  and  cruel  in  the.  an- 
nals of  civilized  mankind,"  from  its  levying  of  heavy 
fines  on  the  poor  Nonconformist,  for  worshipping  his 
God,  according  to  his  conscience,  either  in  a  house,  or . 
barn,  a  hill,  or  a  dale;  and  from  the  bloody  but  pitiable 
triumphs  it  gained  over  the  poor,  pious,  and  deeply  per- 
secuted Covenanters,  by  the  battles  of  Pentland  Hills, 
Bothwell  Bridge,  Airdsmoss,  &c.,* — triumphs  these 

•  Airdsmoss  was  the  place  where  Richard  Cameron,  from  whom 
the  Scottish  sect  of  Presbyterians,  called  Cameronians,  take  their 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  103 

that  deepen  the  blush  on  the  face '  of  one  that  wears 
the  name  of  Briton,  when  he  thinks  of  the  Dutch  fleet 
riding,  at  this  very  period,  triumphant  in  the  Thames, — 
the  French  pension  of  which  both  king  and  parliament 
partook — the  suggestion,  in  the  House  of  Commons,  that 
Milton  should  be  hanged* — the  spilling,  on  the  scaf- 
fold, of  some  of  the  best  blood  in  the  nationf — un- 
justly robbing  the  poor  Nonconformists  of  their  money, 
and  making  their  dungeons  their  graves/j:  I  This  reign — 
this  execrable  British  reign,  gave  way,  in  its  turn,  to  the 
reign  of  Popery,  with  its  splendid  battle  of  Sedgmoor, 
and  its  brilliant  results.^  And  let  us  be  grateful  that 

name,  fell,  July  22,  1681.  His  head  and  hands  were  brought  to 
his  father  in  prison,  who  was  asked  if  he  knew  them.  Bedewing 
the  faded  relies  -with  his  tears,  he  said,  "  I  know  them — I  know 
them,  they  are  my  son's — my  dear  son's.  It  is  the  Lord;  good 
is  the  will  of  the  Lord."  Bothwell  Bridge  engagement  had  taken 
place  22nd  June,  1679. — Hetherington's  History  of  the  Church 
of  Scotland,  pages  154,  155. 

•  This  suggestion  to  hang  Milton,  was  made  by  Sir  Heneage 
Finch,  who  said,  "  He  deserved  to  be  hanged  for  being  Latin  Se- 
cretary to  Cromwell." —  Continuation  of  Sir  J.  Macintosh's  His- 
tory of  England,  Vol.  vi.,  p.  327. 

f  This  was  the  case  with  Lord  William  Bussel,  who  was  be- 
headed, July  21,  1683 ;  and  Algernon  Sidney,  who  perished  Dec. 
8,  the  same  year. 

J  Such  was  the  fate  of  Messrs.  Delaune,  Bampfield,  and  Balp- 
son.  They  all  died  in  Newgate  prison.  Delaune's  wife  and  two 
children  perished  there  likewise.  Delaune's  plea  for  Nonconfor- 
mity, is  reckoned  by  De  Foe,  as  a  perfect  book  on  the  subject. 
He  was  the  Chillingworth  of  Nonconformity.  It  is  affirmed  by 
their  historian,  Sowle,  that  the  Quakers  were  confined  by  thou- 
sands, and  that  at  one  time,  the  whole,  or  nearly  the  whole,  of 
their  male  members  were  in  this  condition. 

§  The  battle  of  Sedgmoor  took  place  5th  July,  1685.  It  was  a 
co-ordinate  movement  of  the  Duke  of  Monmouth,  with  that  of  the 
Duke  of  Argyle,  in  Scotland,  "  for  the  purpose,  as  they  said,  of 
recovering  the  religion,  rights,  and  liberties,  of  the  kingdom,  from 


104  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

that  weak  and  wicked  Popish  reign  soon  gave  way,  in 
its  turn,  to  all  the  glories  of  the  Revolution,  the  sagacity 
of  William  prince  of  Orange,  the  magnanimity  of  the 
great  bulk  of  the  British  people,  contrasted  with  the 
despicable  meanness  of  the  kindred,  the  courtiers,  and 
the  divine-right  clergy  of  the  poor,  deposed,  and  despised 
monarch. 

All  these  circumstances  considered,  we  think,  had  we 
no  farther  evidence  from  any  other  quarter,  that  Church 
and  State,  however  helpful  they  may  be,  and  should  be 
to  each  other,  are  always  most  so,  when  each  pru- 
dently refrains  from  all  political  interference  with  the 

the  usurpation  of  James  Duke  of  York,  and  a  Popish  faction  ;f  in 
short,  the  very  purpose  for  which  the  Prince  of  Orange  descended 
on  the  shores  of  England,  with  his  Dutch  warriors,  afterwards  in 
the  end  of  1688.  Argyle  and  Mpnmouth  both  failed,  and  were 
beheaded.  Their  followers  were  treated  with  the  greatest  possible 
brutality,  both  in  Scotland  and  England.  In  the  West  of  Eng- 
and  particularly,  the  butchery  under  Colonel  Kirk  and  Judge 
Jefferies  was  fearful.  A  number  of  very  pious  Dissenters,  as  well 
as  Church  people,  had  joined  the  standard  of  Monmouth.  Among 
others,  there  were  Messrs.  Benjamin  and  William  Hewling,  sons 
of  a  Turkish  Merchant,  in  London,  and  grandsons  of  Mr.  William 
KifBn,  Baptist  minister,  of  Devonshire-square,  London,  already 
referred  to.  The  narrative  of  their  connection  with  the  Duke,  and 
their  executions,  is  given  by  their  grandfather  Mr.  Kiffin. 
They  were  but  young.  One  scarcely  22,  and  the  other  little  more 
than  20  years  of  age.  They  were  both  pious,  and  much  intent  on 
the  civil  and  religious  liberties  of  their  country.  They  died  re- 
joicing in  God,  and  in  the  goodness  of  their  cause.  Lady  Lisle 
also  was  beheaded  for  harbouring  two  persons  engaged  with  the 
Duke ;  and  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Gaunt,  a  Baptist,  distinguished,  ac- 
cording to  the  testimony  of  Bishop  Burnet,  for  her  benevolent  dis- 
position, was  burned  at  the  stake,  for  giving  food  and  lodgings  to 
one  of  the  insurgents,  who  afterwards  informed  of  her  to  save  him- 
self. Penn,  the  Quaker,  saw  her  die.  She  said,  she  "died  a 
martyr  for  that  religion  which  was  all  love."  She  laid  the  straw 
about  her,  for  burning  her  the  more  speedily.  The  spectators 
were  melted  to  tears. — Ivimey,  Vol.  ?'.,  pages  431 — 46], 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        105 

distinct  province  of  the  other.  This  point  was,  in  some 
degree,  gained  at  the  close  of  the  reign  of  the  Stuarts,  at 
the  period  of  the  Revolution,  and  at  the  accession  of  the 
Brunswick  family  to  the  throne  of  these  kingdoms.  It 
has  been  growing,  as  a  principle  and  an  usage,  in  the 
British  mind  and  legislature  ever  since ;  and  that,  we 
assuredly  believe,  will  be  one  of  the  brightest  days  for 
Britain's  welfare,  and  the  world's  good,  when,  by  the 
united  voice  of  the  nation,  the  councils  of  the  imperial 
senate,  and  the  concurrence  of  the  monarch,  its  triumphs 
,  shall  be  fully  consummated. 


106  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUECHES 


CHAPTER  III. 

Revolution. — Claverhouse  and  Mackenzie. — General  Assembly  in 
London. — Associations. — NorthernAssoeiation. — Barnoldswick, 
— Fund  at  Derwent. — Bristol. — Tottlebank. — Bridlington. — Sir 
Win.  Sinclair. — Northern  Association. — Death  of  Mr.  Lark- 
ham.— Death  of  Mr.Blacket. — -Of  the  leaders  of  Nonconformity, 

and  Birth  of  Wesley,  &c.— Mr.  Blacket's  Character,  •  &c 

Hawksheadhill. — Bridlington. — Death  of  Mr  Prudom.— Brough- 
ton. — Association. — Bitchburn.  — Tottlebank. — Hamsterley.— . 
Mr.  Ward's  death,  &c.— Letters,  &c. 

1688. — "We  are  now  arrived  at  a  most  eventful  era  in 
the  history  of  Britain — of  the  World— of  the  Church — • 
namely  the  Revolution  of  1688.  It  has  heen  called  glori- 
ous, and  whatever  may  be  said  of  some  of  the  means  to 
attain  it,  or  the  amount  of  liberty  actually  realized  by 
it,  still  we  hail  it  as  the  dawn  of  a  glorious  morning, 
which,  for  the  benefit  of  Britain  and  of  mankind,  has 
been  advancing  ever  since,  and  is  still  holding  on,  in  its 
'noble  career,  till  it  shall  reach  the  perfect  day.  The 
idea  of  toleration,  from  one  man  to  another,  in  reference 
to  his  conscientiously  worshipping  his  Creator,  is  doubt- 
less a  most  impertinent  one ;  but,  with  all  this,  we  feel 
grateful  for  the  Act  of  Toleration.  It  broke  many  a 
fetter.  It  delivered  men  from  being  fined,  hanged,  and 
quartered,  or  having  their  brains  immediately  blown 
out  by  orders  of  the  Head,  of  what  has  been  called,  "  the 
poor  man's  church" — from  the  ferreting  of  his  clergy,  and 
the  cold-blood  butchery  of  such  high-souled  warriors  as 
Kirk,  Turner,  Dalziel,  Claverhouse,*  and  such  immacu- 

*  The  following  tragic  incident  will  give  some  idea  of  this  un- 
happy man,  a  favourite,  unfortunately,  of  Sir  Walter  Scott's,  but 
the  execration  of  his  country.  John  Brown  was  a  carrier  in  the 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  107 

late  judges  as  Jefleries  and  Mackenzie.*  We  hail  the 
Act  of  Toleration,  because  it  gave  rest  to  the  persecuted 
churches  of  Jesus  Christ,  both  in  England  and  in  Scot- 
land. It  happened  to  them,  at  this  grateful  period,  as 
happened  to  the  churches  in  Palestine,  when  Saul  of 
Tarsus  was  converted.  The  great  spring  of  turbulence 
in  both  cases  being  removed  out  of  the  way,  rest  was 
the  consequence.  "  Then  had  the  churches  rest  through- 

!      : 

south-west  of  Scotland.  He  was  a  Covenanter;  and  his  house, 
lying  in  a  remote  waste,  was  often  a  shelter  to  the  persecuted 
•wanderers  and  their  ministers.  The  ferreting  curate  of  the  parish 
informed  of  him.  He  was  working  his  fields,  and  Claverhouse 
and  his  dragoons  came  on  him  by  the  dawn  of  day.  After  a  few 
ensnaring  questions,  he  was  told  to.  prepare  to  die.  He  kneeled 
and  prayed.  Claverhouse  interrupted  him,  by  saying,  he  was 
preaching.  Brown  gave  him  a  look  of  pity,  and  said  that  if  he 
called  that  preaching,  he  knew  neither  what  preaching  or  prayer 
was,  and  continued  his  devotions  calmly.  When  he  ended,  Claver? 
house  told  the  soldiers  to  fire.  They  hesitated:  they  positively 
refused.  Claverhouse,  with  his  own  hand,  then  shot  Brown  through 
the  head.  He  then  turned  to  the  new-made  widow  Brown,  sit- 
ting with  one  infant  in  her  arms  and  another  at  her  knee,  and 
asked  what  she  thought  of  her  husband  now.  "  I  always  thought 
much  good  of  him,  and.  now  as  much  as  ever;  but  how  will  you 
answer  for  this  morning's  work?"  "To  man,"  said  Claver- 
house, "I  can  be  answerable;  and  as  for  God  I  will  take  him 
into  my  own  hands."  He  then  wheeled  off,  and  the  poor 
widow,  laying  down  her  fatherless  infant,  collected  the  scattered 
brains  of  her  husband,  and  spread  her  plaid  over  his  remains. — 
Hetherington's  Hist,  of  Scot.,  p.  169. 

*  Sir  George  Mackenzie,  known  to  the  children  in  Edinburgh, 
still  by  the  name  of  "  Bloody  Maekingie,"  was  Lord  Advocate  of 
Scotland.  At  the  trial  of  Bailie  of  Jerviswood,  Bailie  asked  him, 
"how  he  could  accuse  him  publicly,  when  in  private  he  had  de- 
clared him  innocent."  Mackenzie  replied,  "  I  own  what  you  say; 
my  thoughts  then  were  as  a  private  man ;  but  what  I  say  here  is 
by  special  direction  of  the  Council."  Bailie,  then  turned  to  the 
Justice-General,  and  said,  "  My  Lord,  I  trouble  your  Lordships 
no  farther." — Hetfierington,  page  162. 


108  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

out  all  Judea,  Galilee,  and  Samaria,  and  were  edified> 
and  walking  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  the  comfort  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  were  multiplied." 

1689. — The  Prince  of  Orange  landed  at  Torbay,  on 
November  5th,  1688 ;  and  the  chief  parties  of  the  nation 
flocked  to  his  standard.  In  the  following  year,  the  dif- 
ferent religious  Dissenters,  after  being  separated  from 
each  other  for  nearly  30  years,  began  to  assemble,  in 
united  bodies,  in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom,  as,  well 
as  the  Metropolis.  Among  others,  the  Baptists  held  a 
general  assembly  of  their  churches,  in  London,  from  the 
3rd  to  the  12th  September.  This  meeting  was  called  by 
a  general  letter  to  the  churches,  dated  22nd  July,  preced- 
ing. The  object  contemplated  was  the  state  of  the  differ- 
ent churches — -their  decays  and  defects,  together  with 
the  means  of  revival.  The  meetings  were  to  be  carried 
on  under  the  guidance  of  the  following  rules.  1.  All  au- 
thority (in  the  general  assembly,)  is  disclaimed,  with 
regard  to  prescribing  either  the  faith,  or  practice,  of  the 
several  churches;  but  merely  to  help,  by  counsel, or  ad- 
vice, from  the  Scriptures.  2.  In  case  of  differing  views 
and  practices,  each  church  to  use  its  own  liberty.  3.  In 
case  of  offences,  arising  either  between  churches,  or  indi- 
viduals, no  offence  to  be  admitted,  or  debated,  till  the 
rule  of  Christ,  Matthew  xviii.  15,  be  attended  to.  4.  The 
consent  of  the  particular  church,  or  individual,  be  had 
to  any  thing  determined,  before  it  can  become  binding. 
5.  That  the  breviates  of  the  meeting,  together  with  a 
letter,  be  sent  to  the  churches.  6.  That  the  messengers 
to  the  meeting,  be  recommended  by  their  respective 
churches.  It  was  also  expected,  that  a  letter,  stating 
its  condition,  should  be  sent  from  each  church ;  and  a 
general  epistle,  from  the  assembly,  should  be  sent  to  the 
whole  of  the  churches  in  connexion  with  it. 

During  the  different  days  of  meeting,  after  their  de- 
votional exercises,  a  number  of  questions  were  debated. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        109 

The  principal  was,  whether  a  public  fund,  or  stock, 
should  he  raised,  for  the  support  and  extension  of  the 
cause  ?  This  general  question  heing  answered  in  the 
affirmative,  resolved  itself  into  the  three  following. 
FiBST.  How  to  raise  it?  In  answer  to  this,  it 
was  resolved  to  'do  so — 1st.  By  voluntary  free-will 
offerings,  or  donations.  2nd.  "Weekly  subscriptions  of 
a  penny,  or  upwards,  according  to  ability.  3rd.  That 
collectors  in  each  church  be  appointed.  4th.  That  nine 
persons,  in  London,  be  nominated,  to  receive  the  collec- 
tions, &c.  SECOND.  To  what  uses  the  fund  should  be 
appropriated?  1st.  To  assist  poor  churches  to  support 
their  pastors.  2nd.  To  send  out  evangelists  to  preach 
the  gospel  where  it  has,  or  has  not,  been  preached,  and 
to  visit  the  churches.  These  to  be  sent  from  two  churches 
or  more.  3rd.  To  assist  gifted  members  in  attaining 
Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew.  THIRD.  How  secured? 
By  a  quarterly  account  sent  from  the  nine  collectprs:in 
London,  to  one  church  in  each  county,  in  order  to  make 
known  the  state  of  the  fund  to  all  the  others. 

A  number  of  other  useful  questions  were  debated,  and 
a  general  epistle  sent  to  the  different  churches.  The 
committee  of  nine,  in  London,  was  chosen,  two  being 
appointed  as  receivers.  A  general  fast  was  fixed  for 
the  10th  October  the  same  year,  1689.  The  next  an- 
nual meeting  to  be  held  in  London,  June  9, 1690. 

1690— 1691.— The  General  Assembly  of  1689,  must 
be  regarded  as  a  new  era  in  the  Baptist  denomination, 
inasmuch  as  it  became  the  pattern  for  other  associations, 
throughout  England  and  Wales.  The  next  General 
Assembly  held  its  meeting  in  London,  in  1690;  but  no 
document  remains  of  its  doings.  As,  however,  in  the 
year  following,  the  different  churches,  in  different  dis- 
tricts of  the  kingdom,  formed  themselves  into  associa- 
tions, it  is  probable,  that  at  the  General  Assembly,  in 

1690,  they  had  been  recommended  so  to  do.    The  letter 

K 


110 


HISTOET  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 


of  the  General  Assembly,  London,  1691,  is  preserved; 
and  connected  with  it  we  have  a  list  of  the  different 
associations.*  But  whether  these  associations  had 

•  The  subjoined  is  a  list  of  these  Associations. 
LONDON,  MIDDLESEX,   ESSEX,   AND  KENT   CHURCHES. 


Theobalds,  Virginia-street, 

George-yard,  Wapping, 

Devonshire  -square,  Limehouse, 

Moorfields,  .  Horseley-down, 

Joiners'  Hall,  Winchester-house, 

Houndsditch,  Mile-end, 


Richmond, 
Turnham  Green, 
Maze-pond, 
Sundiweeke, 
Hatfield-heath. 


SOMERSET,  DORSET,   WILTS,  GLOSTER,    AND   BRISTOL. 


Taunton, 

Pens  ton-evil, 

Melksham, 

Bridgewater, 

Frome, 

Bradford, 

Croscomb, 

Sarum, 

Southwick, 

Hallatrow, 

Warminster, 

Malmesbury, 

Hatch, 

Sedghill, 

Nenfield, 

Kilmington, 

Westbury, 

Sudbury, 

Dunster, 

Devizes, 

Broadmead, 

Calne, 

Fryers. 

ABINGDON,   &C. 

Abingdon. 

Oxford. 

Maidey  Hampton 

Wantage. 

Farringdon. 

Gres. 

Longworth. 

Fenstock. 

Norwich, 
Pulham, 


Plymouth, 
Love, 
Southans, 
Bovey, 


NORFOLK,  SUFFOLK,  &C. 

Sudbury,  Debach, 

Wisbeach,  Colchester. 

THE  WESTERN  ASSOCIATION. 


South  Molton, 
Tiverton, 
Exon. 
Suppil, 


Dalwood, 

Lyme, 

Chard. 


NORTHUMBERLAND,   DURHAM,   YORKSHIRE,   &C. 


Newcastle, 
Bitchburn, 


Pontefract, 
Broughton, 


Egremont, 
Wolverstone. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        Ill 

their  origin  at  this  period,  or  not,  may  admit  of  a 
douht,  as  there  is  mentioned,  as  among  the  de- 
cisions of  the  assembly  in  London,  in  1692,  "That 
whereas  for  some  years  past,  the  churches  have  had 
several  associate  and  county  meetings,  and  one  general 
one  in  London  annually,  it  is  now  proposed  to  divide 
this  General  Meeting  into  two,  &c. ;  the  one,  for  the 
west,  to  meet  in  Easter  week,  at  Bristol ;  the  other,  for 
the  east,  in  London,  at  Whitsuntide,"  &c.  Whether 
the  expression  some  years  past,  may  refer  to  the  years 
elapsing  between  1689  and  1692,  or  some  years  pre- 
viously, it  is  difficult  to  determine ;  as  in  the  two  latter 
years  of  the  reign  of  James,  some  greater  indulgence 
than  heretofore,  was,  for  the  sake  of  the  Catholics, 
given  to  Dissenters ; — or  whether  they  had  thus  united, 
in  a  private  way  from  their  first  association  in  1653,  the 
letter  of  which,  to  the  church  at  Hexham,  is  to  be  found 

HEREFORDSHIRE,    BUCKINGHAM,   BEDFORDSHIRE,   &C. 

Kensworth,  Hampstead,  Harlow, 

Eversbolt,  Sutley,  Tring. 

Perton, 

STE  TEUTON,  &C. 

Steventon,  Haddenham. 

WORCESTER,   WARWICK,   HEREFORD,   LEICESTER,  "&C. 

Broomsgrove,  Hereford,  Hook-Norton, 

Warwick,  Tewkesbury,  Alcester, 

Dimock,  Moreton,  Kilby. 

SOUTH    WALES,   MONMOUTH,    &C. 

-Langoven,  Blaen-y-wern,  Creig-yr-alt, 

Abergavenny,  Golchon,  Llanvabon. 

Lanwenarth, 

CARMARTHEN  ASSOCIATION. 

Ynys-vach,  Rushacre,  Sandywr. 

HAMPSHIRE   ASSOCIATION. 

Ch.ristcb.urch,  Ringwood,  Wb.itecb.urcU. 

Southampton. 

.K2 


108  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

out  all  Judea,  Galilee,  and  Samaria,  and  were  edified^ 
and  walking  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  and  the  comfort  of 
the  Holy  Ghost,  were  multiplied." 

1689. — The  Prince  of  Orange  landed  at  Torbay,  on 
November  5th,  1688 ;  and  the  chief  parties  of  the  nation 
flocked  to  his  standard.  In  the  following  year,  the  dif- 
ferent religious  Dissenters,  after  being  separated  from 
each  other  for  nearly  30  years,  began  to  assemble,  in 
united  bodies,  in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom,  as,' well 
as  the  Metropolis.  Among  others,  the  Baptists  held  a 
general  assembly  of  their  churches,  in  London,  from  the 
3rd  to  the  12th  September.  This  meeting  was  called  by 
a  general  letter  to  the  churches,  dated  22nd  July,  preced- 
ing. The  object  contemplated  was  the  state  of  the  differ- 
ent churches — their  decays  and  defects,  together  with 
the  means  of  revival.  The  meetings  were  to  be  carried 
on  under  the  guidance  of  the  following  rules.  1.  All  au- 
thority (in  the  general  assembly,)  is  disclaimed,  with 
regard  to  prescribing  either  the  faith,  or  practice,  of  the 
several  churches;  but  merely  to  help,  by  counselor  ad- 
vice, from  the  Scriptures.  2.  In  case  of  differing  views 
and  practices,  each  church  to  use  its  own  liberty.  3.  In 
case  of  offences,  arising  either  between  churches,  or  indi- 
viduals, no  offence  to  be  admitted,  or  debated,  till  the 
rule  of  Christ,  Matthew  xviii.  15,  be  attended  to.  4.  The 
consent  of  the  particular  church,  or  individual,  be  had 
to  any  thing  determined,  before  it  can  become  binding. 
5.  That  the  breviates  of  the  meeting,  together  with  a 
letter,  be  sent  to  the  churches.  6.  That  the  messengers  . 
to  the  meeting,  be  recommended  by  their  respective 
churches.  It  was  also  expected,  that  a  letter,  stating 
its  condition,  should  be  sent  from  each  church ;  and  a 
general  epistle,  from  the  assembly,  should  be  sent  to  the 
whole  of  the  churches  in  connexion  with  it. 

During  the  different  days  of  meeting,  after  their  de- 
votional exercises,  a  number  of  questions  were  debated. 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.        109 

The  principal  was,  whether  a  public  fund,  or  stock, 
should  be  raised,  for  the  support  and  extension  of  the 
cause  ?  This  general  question  being  answered  in  the 
affirmative,  resolved  itself  into  the  three  following. 
FlEST.  How  to  raise  it?  In  answer  to  this,  it 
was  resolved  to  "do  so — 1st.  By  voluntary  free-will 
offerings,  or  donations.  2nd.  "Weekly  subscriptions  of 
a  penny,  or  upwards,  according  to  ability.  3rd.  That 
collectors  in  each  church  be  appointed.  4th.  That  nine 
persons,  in  London,  be  nominated,  to  receive  the  collec- 
tions, &e.  SECOND.  To  what  uses  the  fund  should be 
appropriated?  1st.  To  assist  poor  churches  to  support 
their  pastors.  2nd.  To  send  out  evangelists  to  preach 
the  gospel  where  it  has,  or  has  not,  been  preached,  and 
to  visit  the  churches.  These  to  be  sent  from  two  churches 
or  more.  3rd.  To  assist  gifted  members  in  attaining 
Latin,  Greek-, •  and  Hebrew.  THIRD.  How  secured? 
By  a  quarterly  account  sent  from  the  nine  collectqrsin 
London,  to  one  church  in  each  county,  in  order  to  make 
known  the  state  of  the  fund  to  all  the  others. 

A  number  of  other  useful  questions  were  debated,  and 
a  general  epistle  sent  to  the  different  churches.  The 
committee  of  nine,  in  London,  was  chosen,  two  being 
appointed  as  receivers.  A  general  fast  was  fixed  for 
the  10th  October  the  same  year,  1689.  The  next  an- 
nual meeting  to  be  held  in  London,  June  9, 1690. 

1690— 1691.— The  General  Assembly  of  1689,  must 
be  regarded  as  a  new  era  in  the  Baptist  denomination, 
inasmuch  as  it  became  the  pattern  for  other  associations, 
throughout  England  and  "Wales.  The  next  General 
Assembly  held  its'  meeting  in  London,  in  1690;  but  no 
document  remains  of  its  doings.  As,  however,  in  the 
year  following,  the  different  churches,  in  different  dis^- 
tricts  of  the  kingdom,  formed  themselves  into  associa- 
tions, it  is  probable,  that  at  the  General  Assembly,  in 
1690,  they  had  been  recommended  so  to  do.  The  letter 


110 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 


of  the  General  Assembly,  London,  1691,  is  preserved  j 
and  connected  with  it  we  have  a  list  of  the  different 
associations.*  But  whether  these  associations  had 


•  The  subjoined  is  a  list  of  these  Associations. 

LONDON,  MIDDLESEX,  ESSEX,  AND  KENT   CHURCHES. 


Theobalds,  Virginia-street, 

George-yard,  "Wapping, 

Devonshire -square,  Limehouse, 

Moorfields,  .  Horseley-down, 

Joiners'  Hall,  Winchester-house, 

Houndsditch,  Mile-end, 


Richmond, 
Turnham  Green, 
Maze-pond, 
Sundiweeke, 
Hatfield-heath. 


SOMERSET,  DORSET,  WILTS,  OLOSTER,    AND  BRISTOL. 


Taunton, 

Pens  ton-evil, 

Melksham, 

Bridgewater, 

Frome, 

Bradford, 

Croscomb, 

Sarum, 

Southwick, 

Hallatrow, 

Warminster, 

Malmesbury, 

Hatch, 

Sedghill, 

Nenfield, 

Kilmington, 

Westbury, 

Sudbury, 

Dunster, 

Devizes, 

Broadmead, 

Calne, 

Fryers. 

ABINGDON,   &C. 

Abingdon. 

Oxford. 

Maidey  Hampton 

Wantage. 

Farringdon. 

Gres. 

Longworth. 

Fenstock. 

NORFOLK,  SUFFOLK, 

&c. 

Norwich, 

Sndbury, 

Debach, 

Pulham, 

Wisbeach, 

Colchester. 

THE  WESTERN  ASSOCIATION. 

Plymouth, 

South  Molton, 

Dalwood, 

Love, 

Tiverton, 

Lyme, 

Southans, 

Exon. 

Chard. 

Bovey, 

Suppil, 

NORTHUMBERLAND,  DURHAM,  YORKSHIRE,  &C. 


Newcastle, 
Bitcliburn, 


Pontefract, 
Broughton, 


Egremont, 
'Wolverstone. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        Ill 

their  origin  at  this  period,  or  not,  may  admit  of  a 
doubt,  as  there  is  mentioned,  as  among  the  de- 
cisions of  the  assembly  in  London,  in  1692,  "That 
whereas  for  some  years  past,  the  churches  have  had 
several  associate  and  county  meetings,  and  one  general 
one  in  London  annually,  it  is  now  proposed  to  divide 
this  General  Meeting  into  two,  &c. ;  the  one,  for  the 
west,  to  meet  in  Easter  week,  at  Bristol ;  the  other,  for 
the  east,  in  London,  at  Whitsuntide,"  &c.  Whether 
the  expression  some  years  past,  may  refer  to  the  years 
elapsing  between  1689  and  1692,  or  some  yeiars  pre- 
viously, it  is  difficult  to  determine ;  as  in  the  two  latter 
years  of  the  reign  of  James,  some  greater  indulgence 
than  heretofore,  was,  for  the  sake  of  the  Catholics, 
given  to  Dissenters ; — or  whether  they  had  thus  united, 
in  a  private  way  from  their  first  association  in. 1653,  the 
letter  of  which,  to  the  church  at  Hexham,  is  to  be  found 

HEREFORDSHIRE,   BUCKINGHAM,  BEDFORDSHIRE,  &C. 

Kensworth,  Hampstead,  Harlow, 

Eversholt,  Sutley,  Tring. 

Perton, 

STEVENTON,  &C. 

Steventon,  Haddenham. 

WORCESTER,    WARWICK,   HEREFORD,   LEICESTER,  "&C. 

Broomsgrove,  Hereford,  Hook-Norton, 

Warwick,  Tewkesbnry,  Alcester, 

Dimock,  Moreton,  Kilby. 

SOUTH   WALES,   MONMOUTH,   &C. 

^Langoven,  Blaen-y-wern,  Creig-yr-alt, 

Abergavenny,  Golehon,  Llanvabon. 

Lanwenarth, 

CARMARTHEN  ASSOCIATION. 

Ynys-vach,  Rushacre,  Sandywr. 

HAMPSHIRE   ASSOCIATION. 

Christchurch,  Kingwood,  Whitechurc^. 

Southampton. 

'      K2 


112  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

in  a  former  page.*  Be  this,  however^  as  it  may,  it  is 
certain,  that  district  associations,  in  connection  with  the 
annual  General  Assembly,  in  London,  were  formed  in  the 
year.  1691 ;  and  with  r;egard  to  the  Northern  churches, 
it  seems  certain,  that  they  had  met  in  association,  in 
1690,  as  in  the  questions  debated,  in  that  .association  of 
1707,  we  have  the  following  statements.  In  answer  .to 
one 'question,  :it  is  said,  "See  farther,  in  answer  to  a 
question  relating  to  this  subject,  Answered  in  1690;" 
and  to  another  query  it  is  mentioned,  "  To  wot  ,we  refej: 
you  to  a  query  of  the  like  nature,  debated  and  answer- 
ed in  6  heads,  by  the  messengers  of  the  churches, 
1690."  It  seems  then  a  fair  inference,  that  the  Northern 
Association  was  formed  that  year,  in  imitation  of  the 
General  Assembly,  in  London,  the  year  before. 

The  association  of  the  northern  counties  was  composed 
of  six  churches, — one  in  Yorkshire,  Pontefract;  one 
in  Lancashire,  "Wolverstone  (Ulverstone)  Tottlebank ; 
(probably  including  Hawksheadhill  and  Torver) ;  one  in 
Durham,  Bitchburn,  including  Muggleswick  and  Tyne- 
side ;  and  two  in  Cumberland,  Egremont  and  Broughton. 

Of  Egremont  and  Pontefract  nothing  is  known,  as 
yet,  by  the  writer.  There  are,  however,  two  other 
churches,  the  names  of  which  we  might  have  expected 
would  have  been  connected  with  the  Northern  Associa- 
tion, namely,  "Warrington,  or  Hill  Cliffe,  in  Lancashire, 
and  Barnoldswick,  in  Yorkshire.  As  to  the  former,  as 
we  have  seen,  it  was  in  existence  in  1653.  It  is  also 
mentioned  among  the  list  of  the  churches  of  1689,  and 

*  Perhaps  a  reference  is  made  to  a  meeting  of  the  pastors  and 
elders  of  the  Baptist  churches,  in  London,  and  the  country,  assem- 
bled in  London,  in  1677,  in  order  to  form  a  plan  for  an  orderly 
standing  ministry.  A  Circular  Letter,  in  order  to  this,  had  been 
issued,  in  1675.  This  letter  was  signed  by  Daniel  Dyke,  "William 
Collins,  and  William  Kiffen.  Owing,  however,  to  the  unsettled 
state  of  the  nation,  little  appears  to  have  been  effected  till  after 
the  Revolution. — Ivimey,  Vol.  /.,  pages  414 — 429. 


•     IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  113 

1691,  by  the  General  Assembly ;  but  is  not  in  the  list 
of  the  associated  communities.  As  to  Barnoldswick,  it 
is  supposed  to  be  the  oldest  church  in  Yorkshire ;  and, 
this  is  probable,  as  it  is  affirmed,  it  had  fifty-six  mem- 
ber.s  in,  J  698,  when  it  becomes  first  known/  What'  were 
the  numbers  of  the  church  at  Pontefract,  we  have  not 
the  means  of  knowing ;  probably  as  many ;  and  as  to 
its  antiquity,  it  could  not  have  been  far  apart  from  that 
of  Barnoldswick.  Of  this,  however,  at  present,  we  are 
certain,  that  these  are  the  oldest  churches  in:  Yorkshire, 
with  which  we  are  acquainted.* 

Great  zeal  was  manifested  at  this  time,  on  the  part 
of  our  forefathers  and  predecessors,  in  endeavouring  to 
gain  the  object  of  these  associations — A  fund  for  Jhe 
support  of  the  ministry,  in  the  denomination,  through- 
oy,t  England  and  Wales.  Having  but  lately -escaped 
from  the  horrors  of  severe  and  long-continued  persecu- 
tion, they  seemed  willing  to  devote  themselves  and ' 
their  all  to  God.  Among  others,  this  feeling  was  con- 
spicuously seen,  in  the  case  of  both  the  ministers  and 
members  of  the  church  on  the  Derwent,  &c.  It  was 
about  the  time  of  the  formation  of  the  association  in  the 
north,  that  Mr.  "Ward  made  out  an  instrument,  by 
which  he  put  into  the  hands  of  certain  trustees  ^100, 
for  the  support  of  a  regular  ministry  in  the  church, 
after  his  decease.  The  example  of  the  minister  was 
followed  by  many  in  the  church,  so  that  the  sum  suh- 
scribed,  to  be  given  either  immediately,  or  afterwards, 
amounted  to  ^346 ;  a  goodly  sum  indeed,  when  the  va- 
lue of  money,  at  that  time,  is  taken  into  account,  and 

*  It  is  probable,  that  the  first  church  in  Bacup,  united  with 
Cloughfold,  in  Rossendale,  Lancashire,  came  into  existence  about 
€be  same  time  as  Barnoldswick.  Its  'first  ministers  were,  Messrs. 
Mitchell  and  Crosby.  Several  churches  sprang  out  of  this,  par- 
ticularly Rawdon  and  Heatpn,  near  Bradford,  Yorkshire;  also 
Gildersome,  Hartwith,  with  Salendine  Nook. 

K3 


114  HISTORY  OP  THE  fci^BTlST  CHUBCHES 

also,  that  most  of  the  donors  were  persons  in  but  com- 
paratively lowly  circumstances.*  The  effects  of  this 
zeal,  for  the  good  of  the  cause,  is  felt  at  the  present 
time,  in  the  support  of  the  ministry  of  the  gospel,  in  the 
midst  of  a  comparatively  scanty  population,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Tyne,  the  Derwent,  and  the  Wear. 

1695. — The  general  assemblies,  in  London  and  Bris- 
tol, continued  till  the  year  1695,  when  they  seem  toihave 
been  discontinued  in  London.  The  Western  Association 
much  lamented  the  indifference  of  the  metropolis,  and 
held  on  their  own  path  with  little  diminution  of  vigour. 
The  estate  left  in  1686,  hy  Mr.  Edward  Terril,  to  the 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Broadmead,  Bristol,  laid  the 
foundation  for  the  Bristol  Education  Society,  through 
the  medium  of  .which,  so  many  eminent  men  have  been 
fitted  for  extensive  service  and  -usefulness,  in  the  church 
and  the  world.  The  ministers  were  'educated  private- 
ly, till  1710,  when  Mr.  Caleb  Jape  was  chosen  by  the 
church  in  Broadmead,  to  assist  Mr.  Kitterall,  then  pas-; 
tor,  and  to  educate  young  men  for  the  ministry.  Cros- 
by, the  Baptist  historian,  apologizes  for  the  London 
churches,  the  sum  of  which  apology  is  as  follows :  The 
inconvenience  attending  the  General  Assemblies,  &c.,  on 

*  The  following  are  the  parties  and  sums  collected  on  this 
occasion  :— 

John  Ward  (in  time)  £100         Brought  forward          -£241 

George  Johnson  (said  to  be  Thomas  Wheatly  20 

lost)  50      Mary  Walton  10 

Stephen  Walton  15      Nicholas  Teasdale  <  10 

William  Greenwell  20      Andrew.  Jopling  10 

John  Scarth  1     John  Grde  <s         10 

John  Rawling  20     John  Usher  5 

Joseph  Hall  20     John  Hodgshin  10 

[Robert  Atkin  10      Mary  Johnson  30 

William  Nicholson  5 


£241  £3*6 

•These  are  said  to  be  the  subscriptions  of  brethren  and  friends  be- 
longing to  the  church,  frequently  meeting  at  Bitchburm,  and  took 
Date  February  2, 1697-8. 


TN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND-  115 

account  of  the  great  distance,  of  some,  &c.;  this  induced 
them  to  meet  together,  ia  smaller  companies,  at  ap- 
pointed ,times,  and  then  to  communicate  by  letters,  to 
those  at  a  greater  distance,  respecting  their  proceedings 
and  agreements  (resolutions). 

We  have  none  of  the  minutes  of  the  Northern  Asso- 
ciation, til]  the  year  1699 ;  but  some  circumstances -con- 
nected with  the  associated  churches  require,  in  the 
meantime,  to  be  noticed. 

In  the  year  1695,  the  church  at  Tottlebank  had -a 
new  pastor  placed  over  it,  in  the  room  of  Mr.  Gabriel 
Gamelford.  At  what  time  Mr.  Camelford  diedy.we  aire 
not  informed,  but  in  the  records  of  the  ohurch  at  Tottle- 
bank, we  have  the  following  entry:  "la  May,  1695, 
Mr.  David  Crosby  was  chosen  to  take  the  oversight 
of  the  church,  and  there  were  set  apart,  by  prayer, 
as  helps  in  government,  Mr.  Eoger  Sawrey,  William 
Braithwaite,  and  William  Robinson."  If  Mr.  Camel- 
ford  lived  till  this  period,  he  must  have  been  connected 
with  the  church  for  about  twenty-six  years.  Nothing 
is  said  of  his  age  or  death,  either  in  the  church  record 
at  Tottlebank,  or  by  Palmer,  in  the  Nonconformist's 
Memorial. 

1698. — -The  church  at  Bridlington,  Yorkshire,  came 
into  existence,  in  the  year  1698.  The  circumstances 
leading  to  this,  -we  are  told,  were  the  following:  "  Tra- 
dition informs  us,  that  a  farmer  in  Scotland,  who  before 
he  would  have  his  child  sprinkled,  expressed  to  his 
pastor  his  doubts  respecting  Infant  Baptism,  and  not 
obtaining  satisfaction  on  that  head,  he  visited  London, 
and  was  there  baptized,  by  immersion,  on  a  profession 
of  his  faith  -in  Christ.  On  his  return  to  Scotland  by  sea, 
a  storm  drove  the  vessel  into  Bridlington  Bay,  where 
they  put  on  'shore  for  a  day  or  two.  Here,  meeting 
with  Mr.  Robert  Prudom,  and  conversing  with  him  on 
'  the  subject  of  Baptism,  Mr.  Prudom  was  convinced  of 


116  HISTOBY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  'CHUBCHES 

the  truth  of  Believers'  Baptism,  and  was  himself  bap- 
tized, and  began  the  interest  at  Bridlington."* 

Whatever  may  be  said  of  this  tradition,  it  is  certain, 
that  Mr.  Prudom  does  not  allude  to  it,  when  referring 
to  his  experience  at  this  time,  in  an  appendix  to  a  work 
of  his  entitled,  "Truth  unveiled  by  Scripture  light." 
He  says,  "I  do  remember,  that  after  God  had  fully 
convinced  me  of  the  ordinance  of  Believers'  Baptism, 
I  went  a  great  many  miles  to  come  under  the  or- 
dinance; but  the  person  to  whom  I  went,  not -being 
able  to  give  me  a  satisfactory  account  of  his  regular 
admittance  as  an  administrator,  I  was  constrained  to 
return  unbaptized,  although,  at  that  time,  1  had  a  very 
great  desire  to  be  a  partaker  of  that  despised  ordi- 
nance/'f  It  is  not  always  wise  to  hazard  conjectures ; 

"  Baptist  Magazine  for  1821,  p.  196.  The  above  tradition,  is  re- 
lated by  the  late  Mr.  Isaac  Maun,  of  Maze  Pond,  London,  who 
was  originally  a  member  at  Bridlington,  and  mast  have  been  well 
acquainted  with  many  of  the  old  members  of  that  church,  from 
whom,  doubtless,  he  must  have  had  the  tradition.  "We,  however, 
have  no  trace  of  the  fact  in  the  history  of  Believers'  Baptism  in 
Scotland.  The  nearest  approximation  is  the  case  of  Sir  William 
Sinclair,  of  Kiess,  in  Caithness,  of  whom  it  is  said,  that  he  lived  in 
the  early  part  of  the  18th  .century,  was  immersed  in  England,  came 
home,  preached  the  gospel,  immersed  believers,  formed  a  Baptist 
church  on  his  own  estate,  and,  notwithstanding  his  rank,  suffered 
much  persecution.  But  the  case  of  Sir  William  was,  probably,  much, 
later,  as  Mr.  Maclean  says,  it  was  a  little  prior  to  1765.  His  no- 
tions were  rather  singular — he  observed  the  passover,  before  the 
Lord's  Supper,  and  after  it  he  girded  himself  with  a  towel,  poured  . 
water  into  a  bason,  and  washed  the  disciples'  feet.  He  died  several 
years  ago,  (this  was  written  in  1795)  at  Edinburgh,  when  it  is  said, 
all  his  adherents,  excepting  one,  returned  to  the  Kirk. — Ripptm's 
Register,  Vol.  ii.,  page  361.  But  Mr.  Johnson,  in  his  Circular 
Letter  of  the  Scottish  Union,  mentions  that  Mr.  Peter  Grant,  of 
Grantown,  heard  him  preach,  and  was  pastor  of  the  'church  formed 
by  him,  as  specified  by  himself,  in  his  Journal,  July,  1829. 

t  Circular  Letter  of  the  East  a#d  North  Riding  Association 
for  1843,  page  2. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  117 

but  as  Mr.  Prudom  does  not  mention,  either  who  con- 
vinced him  of  Baptism,  or  who  baptized  him,  it  may 
not  be  improbable,  that  the  person  who  convincedihim, 
was  the  Scotch  stranger^-the  person  to  w;hom  he  i.ad 
applied  for  Baptism,  might  be  some  Baptist  who  had 
come  to  his  neighboured,  hplding  the  view  that  the  ad* 
ministration  of  Baptism  was  not  confined  to  office ;  but 
from  (the  views  of  order  .entertained  by  Mr.  Prudom,  he 
refused  jfco  be  baptized  by  the  stranger,  and,  probably, 
might  do  as  the  Scotch  farmer  had  done  before  him, 
and,  :perhaps,  recommended  to  him,  went  to  London, 
and  was  baptized  by  one  of  the  London  ministers. 
Tradition  ^actually  says,  he  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Ben- 
jamin Keach. 

At  what  period  this  took  place  we  are  not  told.  It 
must,  however,  have  been  a  few  years  before  1698,  when 
the  church  was  formed,  as  the  original  members  were 
twenty-five.  The  ministers  present  at  the  formation  of 
the  church,  which  took  place  ton  the  16th  September, 
were  Mr.  Richard  Pitts,  of  Newcastle,  and  Messrs. 
Ward  and  Blacket,  of  the  church  at  Muggleswick  and 
Bitehburn.  On  the  18th,  when  Mr.  Prudom  was  chosen 
and  ordained  as  pastor,  these  were  assisted  by  Mr. 
Henry  Wolfe,  who  was,  probably,  the  minister  at  Pon- 
tefract.  Mr.  John  Oxtoby  was,  on  the  same  day,  set 
apart  ,{js  deacon.  From  the  absence  of  Mr.  Turner's 
name,  at  this  ordination,  it  is  probable,  that  the  church 
at  Newcastle  was  either  deprived  of  his  labours,  by 
death,  or  that  through  infirmity,  or  age,  he  was  unable 
to  attend.  The  church  at  Bridlingtpu  became  immedi- 
ately connected  with  the  association  of  Baptist  churches 
in  Northumberland,  Durham,  &c. 

1699. — The  first  meeting  of  the  Northern  Association, 
of  which  we  have  any  of  the  minutes  and  discussions, 
was  in  the  year  1699.  This  meeting  took  place  at 
Newton  Gap,  near  Bishop  Auckland,  on  the  Wear,  in 


118 


HISTORY  OF  THE  JBAPTIST  CHURCHES 


(/ 


n 


the  county  of  Durham.  Newton  Cap  is  a  farm-house, 
within  a  short  distance  of  Mr.  Blacket's  house,  at 
'  Bitchburn.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been  tenanted  at 
this  time,  by  Mr.  Stephen  Walton,  a  relative  of  Mr. 
Blacket's,  by  marriage,  and,  probably,  a  deacon  of  the 
church.  At  this  meeting  a  number  of  important  ques- 
tions were  debated.  These  chiefly  refer — to  the  New 
Testament,  as  the  rule  of  Christian  faith  and  practice- 
anxiety  to  promote  discipline  in  the  churches, — and  the 
due  support  of  ministers.  Singing,  however,  had  not 
as  yet  become  the  general  practice  of  the  churches;  but 
as  to  the  theory  of  the  question,  the  members  of  the 
churches  were  left  to  their  individual  liberty ;  only  to 
preserve  peace,  they  were  not  to  make  it  matter  of 
public  debate. 

1700. — In  the  following  year,  1700,*  the  association 
was  again  held  at  Newton  Cap.  This  was  the  first 
associated  meeting  of  a  new  and  remarkable  century; 
in  the  last  ten  years  of  which,  were  formed  the 
Baptists  Missions — foreign  and  home.  As  if  prophe- 
tic of  this,  one  of  the  questions  debated  was,  "What 
can  the  church  of  Christ  do  more  than  it  does,  for  an 
increase  of  converts  ?"  The  substance  of  the  answers 
was,  "A  more  humble  and  heavenly  conversation; 
importuning  one  another  to  diligence,  in  attending  on 
public  worship;  and  bringing  of  the  gifts  of  the  church 
into  exercise ;  family  religion,  and  a  greater  amount  of 
liberality  than  hitherto." 

1701 — 1705. — During  the  five  following  years,  the 
associated  churches  held  their  meetings  at  Bitchburn, 

•  Mr.  Larkham,  of  Cockermonth,  died  this  year,  December  26, 
aged  71.  Of  him  it  is  affirmed,  "  He  certainly  was,  with  regard 
to  Cumberland,  Westmoreland,  and  the  north  of  Lancashire,  what 
Barnard  Gilpin  has  been  pronounced  to  be,  in  consequence  of  his 
labours  in  Durham,  Northumberland,  and  north-east  of  Cumber- 
land, "  the  Northern  Apostle." 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  119 

the  residence  of  Mr.  Henry  Blacket.  In  the  last  of 
these  years,  the  valued  possessor  of  the  house,  in  which 
they  had  long  heing  wont  to  meet,  was  called  to  his 
heavenly  rest.  This  happened  on  the  23rd  Octoher, 
1705,  exactly  that  day  sixty-four  years,  that  he  had 
heen  so  singularly  preserved  from  a  premature  grave, 
in  1641.  He  was  now  in  his  sixty-sixth  year,  and 
had  been  pastor  of  the  church  upwards  of  forty  years.* 
A  few  features  of  Mr.  Blacket's  character  may  be 
gleaned  from  a  number  of  verses,  written  by  his 
successor,  Mr.  Carr,  on  the  occasion  of  his!  death. 
In  these  verses  he  is  represented  as  being  a  zealous, 
skilful,  and  successful  preacher.  Hence,  says  Mr.  Carr, 

"  His  doctrine  oft  the  heart  did  reach, 
And  many  a  one  did  gain." 

Mr.  Blacket  is  also  celebrated  for  his  capacity  in 
governing  the  church. 

"  Weep,  Zion's  children,  weep, 

Such  loss  ye  rarely  knew; 
Because,  our  friend,  who's  gone  to  sleep, 

Has  left  but  very  few 
Such  spirits  here  behind, 

For  rule  and  government, 
As  he,  who  faithfully  did  mind 

His  flock,  till  he  was  spent." 

*  Death,  had  by  this  time,  nearly  swept  into  their  graves,  most 
of  the  great  leaders  of  Nonconformity.  The  great  Dr.  John  Owen, 
had  died  in  1683.  Kichard  Baxter,  in  1691.  John  Ravel,  the 
same  year.  Philip  Henry,  in  1696.  William  Bates,  in  1699 ; . 
and  the  great  and  mighty  John  Howe,  in  1705.  Owen  and  Howe 
had  been  chaplains  to  Oliver  Cromwell.  Milton,  his  Lathi  Se- 
cretary, died  in  1674,  the  year  of  the  birth  of  Dr.  Watts.  John 
Bunyan  had  died  in  1688,  William  Kiffen  in  1701,  and  Benjamin 
Keach  followed  in  1704.  It  is  remarkable,  that  while  death  was 
removing  these  Christian  heroes  of  the  17th  century,  God  was 
raising  up  others,  to  carry  on  the  same  cause — the  great  revival- 


120  HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Mr.  Blacket  is  affirmed,  also,  to  have  been  very 
liberal  ib  carrying  on  the  work  of  God,  as  he1  not  only 
preached  freely,  not  needing,  from  his  circumstances,  to 
be  supported  by  the  church;  but  also,  kindly,  in  his 
own  hous*e,  on  a  Lord's  day,  accommodating  his  Chris- 
tian friends,  who  had  come  from  a  distance.  There  is 
a  traditionary  saying  of  his,  frequently  repeated,  in  the 
family  circle  of  some  of  his  descendentsi  With  refer- 
ence to  his  brethren  and  their  horses,  said  he,  "I  have 
room  in  my  stable  for  your  horses ;  I  have  room  in  my 
house  for  yourselves;  but  I  have  still  more  room  in- my 
heart."  Mr.  Carr,  relative  to  the  same  characteristic, 
thus  affirms — 

"  A  liberal-soul  had  he, 

And  of  great  charity; 
His  spirit  noble,  good  and  free, 
His  deeds 'did  testify. 

He  kept  a  house  at  large, 

God's  Ark  to  entertain; 
At  his  own  cost  and  proper  charge,     • 

Christ's  flock  did  oft  maintain." 

With  all  that  was  good,  however,  about  him,  Mr. 
Blacket  had  yet  his  enemies.  Who  these  were,  or 
what  was  the  reason  of  their  enmity,  or  the  mode  of  its 
manifestation,  we  are  not  told ;  but  Mr.  Carr  refers  to 
them  in  the  following  stanza, — 

"  What  tho'  some  men  did  rage, 

Whilst  thou  on  earth  did  stay,  -., 
And  all  their  hellish  might  engaged, 
Against  thy  gospel  day. 

ists  of  the  18th  century,  .and  the  harbingers  of  the  missionary  era, 
that  commenced  when  they  left  the  stage.  Mr.  John  Wesley  was 
born,  in  1703.  His  brother  Charles,  in  1708.  Lady  Huntingdon, 
in  1708;  and  George  Whitfield,  in  1714.  The  gates  of  the  grave 
shall  not  prevail  against'  the  church. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OP  ENGLAND.  121 

Besides  his  immediate  descendants,*  Mr.  Blackethas 
left  behind  him  two  relics^ — his  portrait,  and  a  part  of 
the  old  house  in  which  he  lived  and  preached.    In  the 
first  of  these,  he  appears  to  have  been  stout  and  firmly 
built,  and,  probably,  of  good  height.    His  countenance . 
is  manly,  accompanied  with  a  happy  mixture  of  the- 
grave  and  the  agreeable.    He  lived  in  the  age  of  Bun- 
yan,  and  wore  the  costume  of  that  age.    The  gravity . 
of  his  aspect  is  increased,  together  with  the  general  ve- 
nerableness  of  his  appearance,  by  his  holding  his  Bible . 
in  his  hand. 

As  to  the  other  relic,  it  is  now  an  old  barn,  and  is,  in- 
deed, an  appropriate  relic  of  the  days  of  conventicles, 
when  the  religion  of  Dissent  was  truly  "the  religion  of 
barns."  It  lies  a  little  more  than  three  miles  from  Bish- 
op Auckland,  and  may  be  advantageously  seen  in  go- 
ing northward,  on  the  right  hand,  in  passing  the  splendid 
railway  viaduct  over  the  Wear,  and  is  the  most  easterly 
of  the  offices,  attached  still  to  the  farm  of  Bitchburn, 
in  the  vale  below  .t 

*  Mr.  Blactet  had  one  son,  named  Silas,  whose  son  Henry  was 
married  to  Mary  Walton,  by  whom  he  had  six  daughters.  He 
had  also  two  daughters :  1.  Mary,  married  to  Robert  Dale,  of 
Bridlington;  and  2.  Lydia,  second  wife  of  William  Angus,  of 
Hindley,  eldest  son  of  Henry,  baptized  by  Mr.  Tillam.  She  had 
by  him  eight  sons  :  1.  Henry,  of  the  Dye  House ;  2.  Joseph ;  3.  . 
John;  both  of  Dotiand;  4.  William,  of  Styford;  5.  Jonathan,  of 
Merrishields,  or  Hedley;  6.  Nathanael,  near  Hexham;  7.  Silas, 
of  Bedbarns,  near  Durham ;  8.  Titus,  who  died  young. 

t  On  entering  this  barn  a  few  years  ago,  with  a  friend,  the' 
writer  found  it  had  been  originally  a  human  habitation.  The  old 
fire-place  on  the  one  side,  and  the  building  up  of  the  old  windows 
on  the  other,  evinced  this.  Its  dimensions  are  but  small,  not 
much  exceeding  14  feet  by  20.  There  was  nothing  within  fine  to 
look  at.  No  beautiful  choir;  no  lofty  pillars ;  no  lovely  window 
of  varied  coloured  glass,  or  admirable  pictures  of  ancient  patri- 
archs or  apostles.  No,  nothing  of  all  this ;  and  yet,  to  the  writer, 

L 


133.  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

1706.— Mr.  Blacket  was  succeeded  in  .the  pastorate 
fey  Mr.  "William  Carr,  who  ha4  been  a  Presbyterian,  and; 
was  a  member  of  the  congregation  meeting  at  Horsley, 
on  the  Tyne.  He  had  been  respectably  educated,  and 
for  nearly  half  a  century  maintained  and  extended  the 
church  over  which  the  Holy  Ghost  had  made  him  over- 
seer. The  queries  and  answers  of  the  association,  held, 
at  Bitchburn,  in  1706,  relative  to  the  election,.probation, 
approbation,  and  ordination  of  ministers,  were  written 
Tby  him. 

1707— 1708.— In  the  year  1707,  Mr.  Braithwaite  wast 
ordained  over  the  church  at  Hawksheadhill.  He  is 
said,  to  have  been  born  there,  in  1681,  and  was  educa- 
ted at  the  grammar  school  of  his  native  place,  and  at 
Oxford.  He  was  baptized  in  London,  in  1^06,  by  the- 
Rev.  David  Orossby,  pastor  of  the  church  at  Cripple- 
gatei,  Being  set  apart,  by  that  church,  to  the  ministryJofr 
the  word,  he  went  to  Hawksheadhill,  where  he  pur* 
ohased-for,  and  confirmed  to,  the  church,  the  old  meet- 
ing-house, and  burying-ground,  with  two  small  fields: 
adjoining.  This  endowment  is  one  of  the  main  sup- 
ports of  the  ministry  there  at  the  presfeht  day.*  The 
association  was  held  at  Bitchburn,  in  1707.  We  arel 

it  was  an  enchanting  'spot;  and  it  was  str,  as  a  relic  of  bygitoe 
days— the  bygone  days  of  the  straggles  of  Nonconformity  in  thra 
country.  The  vestiges  of  oppression  frequently  convey  to  the 
mind  deepef  *arid  more  intense  feeling  than  the  vestiges  of  mere 
grandeur.  The  vestiges  of  oppression  are,  in  some  'measure,  seen 
in  the  little  lonely  glen,  where  this  relic  stands.  But  for  the  Acftf 
of  Uniformity  in  1662,  and  other  acts  of  a  similar  description,, in 
the.  reign  of  the  profligate  Charles  the  Second,  the  ministrations 
of  the  Nonconformists  would  not  have  needed  to  have  been  carried 
on,  under  the  lowly  roof  and  confined  walls  of  an  ordinary  farm 
house;  Hither,,  however,  from  the  fangs  of  bigotry  and  abused 
authority,  under  the  guidance  of  Henry  Blacket  and  others,  their- 
cause  meekly  retired,  quietly  rested,  and  slowly,. but  gradually, 
grew. 

*  Baptist  Magazine  for  1820,  page  402. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        123 

informed  where  it  met,  during  the  three  succeeding 
years ;  but  it  is  probable  it  was  as  in  past  years,  and  again 
jn  1710,  at  Bitchburn;  and  at  Bridlington,  in  1712.  The 
church  at  that  place,  was,  at  this  time>  without  a  pastor, 
as  Mr.  Prudom  had  died  in  1708,  to  the  great  grief  of 
Ms  people.  Messrs.  Ward  and  Carr,  of  Muggleswick, 
wrote  a  very  affectionate  and  consolatory  letter  to  the 
church  on  the  occasion,  giving  them  advice  how  to  con- 
duct themselves  in  their  bereaved  state.  This  letter  is 
still  extant,  in  the  archives  of  the  church  at  Bridlington. 
It  is,  however,  too  long  for  insertion  in  the  present  nar- 
rative, and,  besides,  gives  us  no  new  historical  infor- 
mation. 

Mr*  Prudom  was  a  gentlemen  of  property,  and  edu- 
cated a  Presbyterian.  Besides  the  twenty-five  members, 
at  the  formation  of  the  church,  in  1698,  he  had  added, 
during  the  following  ten  years,  forty- two  persons  to  the 
church.  As  already  hinted,  he  was  an  author  of  a 
sinall  work,  of  198  pages,  entitled,  "Truth  TJnvailed," 
&c.  Mr.  Reach,  in  a  recommendatory  preface,  speaks 
very  highly  both  of  the  author  and  his  performance. 
Mr.  Prudom's  son  David,  was  for  many  years  a  deacon 
of  this  church.* 

1709—1712. — Mr.  James  Hepburn,  a  member  of  the 
church,  had  succeeded  Mr.  Prudom  in  the  ministry, 
but  was  never  recognized  as  the  pastor.  During  his 
ministry,  which  lasted  four  years,  seven  persons  were 
baptized.  At  the  association,  in  1712,  Mr.  Braithwaite, 

*  It  was  in  1710,  that  the  first  Baptist  church, -at  Liverpool, 
was  formed,  and  owued  as  a  distinct  church,  by  the  "mother, 
church,  at  Hill  Cliffe,  Cheshire,  near  Warrington,  already  men- . 
tioned.  A  house  had  been  licensed,  July  25,  1700,  at  Everton, 
Liverpool,  by  Mr.  Daniel  Fabius,  a  physician;  and  Mr.  Francis 
Turner,  of  Hill  Cliffe,  preached  and  administered  divine  ordi- 
nances.— Circular  Letter  of  Churches  in  Lancashire^  Sfc.,  for 
1842. 

L2 


124  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

of  Hawksheadhill,  along  with  others,  attended.  Mr. 
Braithwaite  preached  with  so  much  acceptance  to  the 
people,  that  they  gave  him  a  call  to  occupy  the  pulpit 
among  them,  in  order  to  his  becoming  their  pastor.  He 
accepted  the  invitation,  and  was  soon  after  ordained, 
and  remained  the  successful  pastor  of  this  church,  till 
he  removed  to  Devonshire-square,  London,  in  the 
year  1734. 

1713. — In  1713,  the  annual  meeting  of  the  churches 
was  held  at  Broughton,  in  Cumberland.  It  seems  that  a 
Mr.  Ware,  was,  at  this  time,  the  minister  of  this  church. 
How  long  Mr.  John  Ward  continued  to  visit  this  neigh- 
bourhood, we  are  not  informed,  or  whether  Mr.  Robert 
Blenkinsop — who  is  said  to  be  the  minister  of  Great 
Broughton,  in  1678 — continued  to  be  such  till  the 
beginning  of  the  18th  century  is  a  matter  equally 
unknown.  It  is  certain,  that  the  church  was  with- 
out a  pastor,  in  the  year  1705 ;  as  it  is  intimated,  in 
the  discussions  of  the  association  that  year,  that  Mr. 
Joseph  "Ware  had  asked  advice  from  the  messengers, 
whether  or  not  he  should  accept  the  call  of  the  church 
at  Broughton.  They  declined  giving  advice,  for  two 
reasons :  1st.  The  matters  between  him  and  the  Brough- 
ton church  were  too  intricate  to  meddle  with;  and  2nd. 
Because  their  advice,  previously  given,  had  not  been 
acted  on.  The  case  of  Mr.  Ware,  and  that  of  the 
church  at  Broughton,  are  also  referred  to  from  1701 
till  1705,  as  being  matters  to  be  brought  before  the 
Lord  in  prayer.  .  , 

.As  Mr.  Ware  is  reckoned  one  of  the  ministers  of 
Broughton,  at  this  time,  and  said  .to  be  "  a  very 
pious  man,  an  acceptable  preacher,  and  much  es- 
teemed for  his  work's  sake,"  we  may  conclude,  that 
he  finally  settled  and  died  among  them,  as  he  is  said  to 
have  been  among  the  first  that  were  buried  in  the 
chapel-yard.  From  this  circumstance,  it  seems  also 


v        IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.      ,  125 

evident,  that  the  ground  for  the  chapel-yard,  had  been 
•but  lately  acquired,  either  by  gift  or  purchase,  and  it  is 
-equally  probable,  that  the  chapel  had  been  but  lately 
built. 

An  interesting  matter  came  before  the  ministers  and 
messengers  this   year,  namely,  a  point  of  difference 
between  the  church  at  Broughton  and  one  of  its  mem- 
bers.    Discipline,  it  would  appear,  was  then  carried 
farther  than  the  church  to  which  any  particular  indivi- 
:  dual  belonged.    He  might  complain  of  that  church  to 
:  the  association,  or  the  church  might  complain  respecting 
him.    Whether  this  is,  or  is  not,  scriptural,  admits  of  a 
doubt.    Dr.  Owen,  however,  in  his  "  True  Nature  of  a 
Gospel  Church,"  decides  in  the  affirmative. 

1714. — The  association  was  held  at  Bitchburn,  in 
1714.  Nine  years  had  elapsed  since  Mr.  Blacket's 
death,  and  yet  the  meetings  had  been  chiefly  held  at 
his  house.  In  the  minutes  of  the  association  of  1711,  it 
is  recommended — "That  praise  and  thanksgiving  be 
returned  to  God  for  the  recovery  of  Sister  Blacket." 
"Who  this  was,  we  are  not  told ;  but  if  Mr.  Blacket's 
widow,  then  her  influence,  might  have  still  drawn  the 
meeting  to  Bitchburn :  if  she  was  the  wife  of  his  son,  the 
same  may  be  equally  affirmed.  This  year,  1714,  how- 
ever, was  the  last  time  that  the  associated  ministers  and 
messengers  met  there.  At  the  village  of  Hamsterley, 
.about  three  miles  and  a  half  westward,  a  new  meeting- 
house was  in  the  course  of  erection,  and  in  it,  it  was  de- 
cided, should  be  held  the  meeting  for  the  following  year. 

Mr.  Crosby,  of  Tottlebank,  who  was  settled  there  in 
1693,  as  successor  of  Mr.  Camelford,  appears  to  have 
either  died,  or  resigned,  about  this  time,  as  a  Mr.  Tho- 
mas Richardson,  from  Mr  Joseph  Nesbett's  church  in 
London,  succeeded  him  this  year,  and. was  ordained  on" 
the  llth  of  August.  ^_ 

1715-1716. — In  the  year  1715,  the  associated  churches         (   \ 

L3  '  ..---  ;:'fe^ 


126  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

met,  for  the  first  time,  in  :  Hamsterley — the  new  meet- 
ing-house being  completed.*  The  house  was  small,  and 
very  humble  in  its  appearance;  but  it  was  among  the 
first  dissenting  meeting-houses  in  the  rural  districts  of 
the  North  of  England,  at  this  time.  Small  and  insigni- 
ficant as  it  was,  the  men  who  had-passed  through  the 
reigns  of  terror,  from  1660  to  1688,  would  hail  it  with 
as  much  delight  as  did  the  Jews,  when  Solomon  dedi- 
cated the  temple  at  Jerusalem.  Their  feelings,  how- 
rever,  appear  to  have  been  greatly  chastened,  by  the 
consideration  of  the  struggle  of  the  Pretender,  the  son 
of  the  late  king,  James  the  Second,  to  regain,  if  pos- 
sible, the  throne  of  his  ancestors;  hence,  the  first 
matter  that  they  recommended  to  the  contemplation 
of  the  churches,  is,  "  The  consideration  of  the  great 
deliverance  we  have  had,  from  the  late  threatening 
judgments  of  popery  and  slavery  ;f  and  the  mercies  we 
still  share^  through  the  enjoyment -of  gospel  privi- 
leges, under  a  favourable  government;  and  lest,  the 
appearing  difficulties  of  those  mercies'  continuance 

*  Hamsterley  is  a  :small  village,  containing  about  300  inhabi- 
tants, and  the  township  600.  It,  and!  the  vicinity,  are  chiefly 
inhabited  by  small  farmers,  and  rural  labourers,  &c.  It  lies  on 
the  skirt  of  the  mountainous  range,  called  the  English  .Appe- 
nines,  aud  between:  the  lead  and  coal  districts  of  Durham.  The 
•property,  when  the  meeting-house  was  built,  was  given,  for  a 
'nominal  consideration,  to  the  Baptist  church,  for  the  worship 
of  God,  by  a  Mr.  Thomas  Dowson,  of  Brakenhill.  Mr.  Ni- 
cholas Teasdale,  was  the  purchaser,  on  behalf  of  the  church. 
The  Dowsons  and  Teasdales  were  large  and  respectable  fami- 
lies, long  connected  with  the  cause  at  Hamsterley.  There  are 
few  of  either  family  connected  with  it  now. 

f  Reference  is,  doubtless,  here  made  to  the  design  of  the  late 
Queen  Anne,  who  died  in  1714,  and  her  ministers,  guided  by  Lords 
Oxford  and  Bolingfaroke,  to  bring  in  her  brother,  the  Pretender, 
in  opposition  to  the  settlement  of  the  throne  in  the  House  of 
Brunswick,  at  the  Revolution.  . 


IN  THE  NORTH  OP  ENGLAND.     :  127 

should  at  last  hold  them  from  us,  for  our  sins,  there 
be  deep  humiliation  before  the  Lord  to  this  end."  It  is 
evident,  from  such  an  enumeration  of  good  received, 
and  evil  deprecated,  that  our  forefathers  welcomed,  with 
holy  gratitude,  the  transfer  of  the  throne  of  these  realms, 
to  the  illustrious  house  of  Brunswick,  and  deplored  the 
idea  of  a  counter  revolution.  Like  the  Israelites,  re- 
turning from  captivity,  they  would,  in  looking  back  on 
the  past  years  of  sorrow,  and  their  late  deliverance, 
sing  and  say,  "When  the  Lord  turned  the  captivity  of 
Zion,  we  were  like  them  that  dream.  Then  was  our 
mouth  filled  with  laughter,  and  our  tongue  iwith  sing- 
ing: then  said  they  among  the  heathen,  'The  Lord 
hath  done  great  things  for  them.'  The  Loi'd  hath  (in- 
deed) done  great  things  for  us,  whereof  we  are  glad." 

1716—1717. — In  the  following  year,  the  association 
was  again  held  at  Hamsterley,  and  also  in  1717.  This 
latter  year  was  distinguished  by  an  event,  which, 
doubtless,  had  been  long  anticipated — the  death  of  Mr. 
Ward.  He  died,  15th  August,  aged  87,  and  was  buried 
in  the  church-yard  of  Muggleswick,  near  his  own  bouse, 
on  the  banks  of  the  Derwent.  A  large  flat  stone  is 
placed  over  his  grave.  The  stone  is  in  good  preserva- 
tion, though  the  letters,  through  the  overgrown  moss, 
are  greatly  defaced;  but  Ms  name,  age,  and  holy  em- 
ployment— a  preacher  of  the  gospel, — together  with  the 
name  of  Eleanor  his  wife,  who  died  in  1724,  are  still 
distinctly  legible.* 

•  We  shall  here  give  a  few  extracts  from  some  of  Mr.  Ward's 
letters,  that  have  survived  the  wreck  of  time.  The  following  is 
dated  14th  of  4th  month,  1710,  and  5s  addressed  to  the  Ministers 
and  Mes.sengers  of  the  Associated  Churches,  meeting  at  Bitch- 
'hurn : — "  Dearly  beloved  Brethren, — My  heart's  desire  and  pray- 
er to  God  for  you  is,  that  you  meet  in  his  holy  love  and  favour, 
&C.J  that  with  enlightened  understandings,  you  may  promote,  &c., 
<the  glory  of  God,  and  with  the  peace,  &e.,  of  all  those  little 
flocks  to  which  you  are  respectively  related;  and,  to  this  end, 


124  HISTOBY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

of  Hawksheadhill,  along  with  others,  attended.  Mr. . 
Braithwaite  preached  with  so  much  acceptance  to  the 
people,  that  they  gave  him  a  call  to  occupy  the  pulpit 
among  them,  in  order  to  his  becoming  their  pastor.  He 
accepted  the  invitation,  and  was  soon  after  ordained, 
and  remained  the  successful  pastor  of  this  church,  till 
he  removed  to  Devonshire-square,  London,  in  the 
year  1734. 

1713. — In  1713,  the  annual  meeting  of  the  churches 
was  held  at  Broughton,  in  Cumberland.  It  seems  that  a 
Mr.  "Ware,  was,  at  this  time,  the  minister  of  this  church. 
How  long  Mr.  John  Ward  continued  to  visit  this  neigh- 
bourhood, we  are  not  informed,  or  whether  Mr.  Robert 
Blenkinsop — who  is  said  to  be  the  minister  of  Great 
Broughton,  in  1678 — continued  to  be  such  till  the 
beginning  of  the  18th  century  is  a  matter  equally 
unknown.  It  is  certain,  that  the  church  \vas  with- 
out a  pastor,  in  the  year  1705 ;  as  it  is  intimated,  in 
the  discussions  of  the  association  that  year,  that  Mr. 
Joseph  Ware  had  asked  advice  from  the  messengers, 
whether  or  not  he  should  accept  the  call  of  the  church 
at  Broughton.  They  declined  giving  advice,  for  two 
reasons :  1st.  The  matters  between  him  and  the  Brough- 
ton church  were  too  intricate  to  meddle  with;  and  2nd. 
Because  their  advice,  previously  given,  had  not  been 
acted  on.  The  case  of  Mr.  Ware,  and  that  of  the 
church  at  Broughton,  are  also  referred  to  from  1701 
till  1705,  as  being  matters  to  be  brought  before  the 
Lord  in  prayer. 

As  Mr.  Ware  is  reckoned  one  of  the  ministers  of 
Broughton,  at  this  time,  and  said  to  be  "a,  very 
pious  man,  an  acceptable  preacher,  and  much  es- 
teemed for  his  work's  sake,"  we  may  conclude,  that 
he  finally  settled  and  died  among  them,  as  he  is  said  to 
have  been  among  the  first  that  were  buried  in  the 
chapel-yard.  From  this  circumstance,  it  seems  also 


.IN  THE  NORTH  OP  ENGLAND.  ,125 

evident,  that  the  ground  for  the  chapel-yard,  had  been 
but  lately  acquired,  either  by  gift  or  purchase,  and  it  is 
•equally  probable,  that  the  chapel  had  been  but  lately 
built. 

An  interesting  matter  came  before  the  ministers  and 
messengers  this  year,  namely,  a  point  of  difference 
between  the  church  at  Broughton  and  one  of  its  mem- 
bers. Discipline,  it  would  appear,  was  then  carried 
farther  than  the  church  to  which  any  particular  indivi- 
dual belonged.  He  might  complain  of  that  church  to 
the  association,  or  the  church  might  complain  respecting 
him.  Whether  this  is,  or  is  not,  scriptural,  admits  of  a 
doubt.  Dr.  Owen,  however,  in  his  "  True  Nature  of  a 
Gospel  Church,"  decides  in  the  affirmative. 

1714. — The  association  was  held  at  Bitchburn,  in 
1714.  Nine  years  had  elapsed  since  Mr.  Blacket's 
death,  and  yet  the  meetings  had  been  chiefly  held  at 
his  house.  In  the  minutes  of  the  association  of  1711,  it 
is  recommended — "That  praise  and  thanksgiving  be 
returned  to  God  for  the  recovery  of  Sister  Blacket." 
Who  this  was,  we  are  not  told ;  but  if  Mr.  Blacket's 
widow,  then  her  influence  might  have  still  drawn  the 
meeting  to  Bitchburn :  if  she  was  the  wife  of  his  son,  the 
same  may  be  equally  affirmed.  This  year,  1714,  how- 
ever, was  the  last  time  that  the  associated  ministers  and 
messengers  met  there.  At  the  village  of  Hamsterley, 
.  about  three  miles  and  a  half  westward,  a  new  meeting- 
house was  in  the  course  of  erection,  and  in  it,  it  was  de- 
cided, should  be  held  the  meeting  for  the  following  year. 

Mr.  Crosby,  of  Tottlebank,  who  was  settled  there  in 
1698,  as  successor  of  Mr.  Camelford,  appears  to  have 
either  died,  or  resigned,  about  this  time,  as  a  Mr.  Tho- 
mas Richardson,  from  Mr  Joseph  Nesbett's  church  in 
London,  succeeded  him  this  year,  and.was  ordained  on 
the  llth  of  August. 

1715-1716. — In  the  year  1715,  the  associated  churches 

L3 


12'G  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

met,  for  the  first  time,  in  Hamsterley — the  new  meet- 
ing-house being  completed.*  The  house  was  small,  and 
very  humble  in  its  appearance;  but  it  was  among  the 
first  dissenting  meeting-houses  in  the  rural  districts  of 
the  North  of  England,  at  this  time.  Small  and  insigui- 
ficant  as  it  was,  the  men  who  had  passed  through  the 
reigns  of  terror,  from  1660  to  1688,  would  hail  it  with 
as  much  delight  as  did  the  Jews,  when  Solomon  dedi- 
cated the  temple  at  Jerusalem.  Their  feelings,  how- 
ever, appear  to  have  been  greatly  chastened,  by  the 
consideration  of  the  struggle  of  the  Pretender,  the  son 
of  the  late  king,  James  the  Second,  to  regain,  if  pos- 
sible, the  throne  of  his  ancestors ;  hence,  the  first 
matter  that  they  recommended  to  the  contemplation 
of  the  churches,  is,  "  The  consideration  of  the  great 
deliverance  we  have  had,  from  the  late  threatening 
judgments  of  popery  and  slavery  ;f  and  the  mercies  we 
still  share j  through  the  enjoyment  of  gospel  privi- 
leges, under  a  favourable  government;  and  lest,  the 
appearing  difficulties  of  those  mercies'  continuance 

*  Hamsterley  is  a  rsmall  village,  containing  about  300  inhabi- 
tants, and  the  township  600.  It,  and  the  vicinity,  are  chiefly 
inhabited  by  small  farmers,  and  rural  labourers,  &c.  It  lies  on 
the  skirt  of  the  mountainous  range,  called  the  English  Appe- 
nines,  and  between,  the  lead  and  coal  districts  of  Durham.  The 
•property,  when  the  meeting-house  was  built,  was  given,  for  a 
"  nominal  consideration,  to  the  Baptist  church,  for  the  worship 
of  God,  by  a  Mr.  Thomas  Dowson,  of  Brakenhill.  Mr.  Ni- 
cholas Teasdale,  was  the  purchaser,  on  behalf  of  the  church. 
The  Dowsons  and  Teasdales  were  large  and  respectable  fami- 
lies, long  connected  with  the  cause  at  Hamsterley.  There  are 
few  of  either  family  connected  with  it  now. 

f  Reference  is,  doubtless,  here  made  to  the  design  of  the  late 
Queen  Anne,  who  died  in  1 714,  and  her  ministers,  guided  by  Lords 
Oxford  and  Bolingtoroke,  to  bring  in  her  brother,  the  Pretender, 
in  opposition  to  the  settlement  of  the  throne  in  the  House  of 
Brunswick,  at  the  Revolution. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OP  ENGLAND.  127 

should  at  last  hold  them  from  us,  for  our  sins,  there 
be  deep  humiliation  before  the  Lord  to  this  end."  It  is 
evident,  from  such  an  enumeration  of  good  received, 
and  evil  deprecated,  that  our  forefathers  welcomed,  with 
holy  gratitude,  the  transfer  of  the  throne  of  these  realms, 
to  the  illustrious  house  of  Brunswick,  and  deplored  the 
idea  of  a  counter  revolution.  Like  the  Israelites,  re- 
turning from  captivity,  they  would,  in  looking  back  on 
the  past  years  of  sorrow,  and  their  late  deliverance, 
sing  and  say,  "When  the  Lord  turned  the. captivity  of 
Zion,  we  were  like  them  that  dream.  Then  was  our 
mouth  filled  with  laughter,  and  our  tongue  with  sing- 
ing: then  said  they  among  the  heathen,  'The  Lord 
hath  done  great  things  for  them.'  The  Loi'd  hath  (in- 
deed) done  great  things  for  us,  whereof  we  are  glad." 

1716 — 1717. — In  the  following  year,  the  association 
was  again  held  at  Hamsterley,  and  also  in  1717.  This 
latter  year  was  distinguished  by  an  event,  which, 
doubtless,  had  been  long  anticipated — the  death  of  Mr. 
"Ward.  He  died,  15th  August,  aged  87,  and  was  buried 
in  the  church-yard  of  Muggleswick,  near  his  own  house, 
on  the  banks  of  the  Derwent.  A  large  flat  stone  is 
placed  over  his  grave.  The  stone  is  in  good  preserva- 
tion, though  the  letters,  through  the  overgrown  moss, 
are  greatly  defaced;  but  his  name,  age,  and  holy  em- 
ployment— a  preacher  of  the  gospel, — together  with  the 
name  of  Eleanor  his  wife,  who  died  in  1724,  are  still 
distinctly  legible.* 

*  We  shall  here  give  a  few  extracts  from  some  of  Mr.  Ward's 
letters,  that  have  survived  the  wreck  of  time.  The  following  is 
dated  14th  of  4th  month,  1710,  and  is  addressed  to  the  Ministers 
and  Messengers  of  the  Associated  Churches,  meeting  at  Bitch- 
ihurn: — "  Dearly  beloved  Brethren, — My  heart's  desire  and  pray- 
er to  God  for  you  is,  that  you  meet  in  his  holy  love  and  favour, 
&e.,  that  with  enlightened  understandings,  you  may  promote,  &c., 
'the  glory  of  God,  and  with  the  peace,  &c.,  of  all  those  little 
flocks  to  which  you  are  respectively  related;  and,  to  this  end, 


128  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Mr.  "Ward  had  been  a  member  of  the  church  sixty- 
five  years,  and  a  minister,  or  elder,  fifty-two  years.    It 

you  do  well  to  consider  whether  the  churches  be  in  a  thriving, 
&c.,  condition ;  or  in  withering,  &c.,  circumstances.  As  for  me, 
I  have  had  many  sad  thoughts  about  the  decays,  &c.,  and  have 
had  my  poor,  thoughts,  with  prayers,  and  tears,  exercised  with 
what  might  be  the  occasion  of  it;  and  have  often  thought  the 
following  things  might  contribute  thereunto,  which  I  humbly 
offer  to  your  consideration:  1.  In  neglecting  diligent  endeavours 
to  live  in  the  constant  views  of  the  glory  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  as  God  and  man,  and  in  his  love  and  grace  in  the  dis- 
charge of  all  his  mediatorial  offices,  &c.  2.  Not  pressing  and 
reaching  forward  to  higher  attainments  in  grace  and  the  pow- 
er of  godliness,  &c.  3.  Not  continuing  to  persevere  in  the  first 
principles  of  the  gospel,  &c.,  with  self-denial,  &c.  4.  Besting 
on  the  external  parts  of  religion,  &c.  5.  Too  much  love  of 
self,  and  this  perishing  world,  &c.  6.  A  woeful  conformity  to  this 
sinful  world  in  the  ways,  fashions,  &c.,  thereof.  7.  Neglect  of  a 
constant  endeavour  to  be  conformed  to  our  dear  Lord  Christ,  &c. 
8.  By  being  too  careless,  &c.,  to  keep  up  a  constant  walk  with 
God,  &c.  9.  Neglecting  to  use  all  means  to  maintain  the  unity 
of  the  Spirit  in  the  bonds  of  peace,  &c.  Dear  Brethren,  I  submit 
these  things  to  your  better  judgments,  &c.  Thus  I  commit  you, 
and  the  work  in  your  hands,  to  our  gracious  Lord  God,  &c.  The 
good  Lord  lift  up  the  light  of  his  countenance  on  you,  and  give  you 
much  of  his  peace,  &c.  Amen.  Brethren,  my  heart  and  spirit  are 
with  you ;  but  my  frail  old  carcass  will  not  allow  me  to  perform 
the  journey.  I  request  your  prayers  for  me,  that  I  may  keep  the 
faith,  increase  therein,  and  finish  my  course  with  joy.  You  can- 
not conceive  with  what  difficulty  I  have  written  this  scribble,  &c. 
From  your  old  companion  in  the  gospel,  &c. — JOHN  WARD." 
Mr.  Ward  was  at  this  time  in  his  80th  year. 
The  following  is  dated  30th  of  7th  month,  (September)  1711 : — 
" Dear  Brethren, — The  cause  of  my  writing  is  as  follows: — 
Being  disabled  to  come  among  you  as  formerly,  through  my  age 
and  great  infirmities,  I  have  found  my  heart  much  drawn  out  in 
prayer  to  God,  for  some  years  past,  that  he  would  bestow  his  Holy 
Spirit  on  whom  he  pleased  among  you,  that  might  be  useful  in- 
struments for  his  own  glory,  and  your  growth  in  grace.  And  you 
know  when  I  was  with  you,  I  often  pressed  you  to  private  meet- 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        129 

was  on  him  that  the  care  of  the  church  principally 
devolved,  after  the  departure  of  Mr.  Tillam,  in  1656. 

ings,  wherein  you  might  exhort  one  another,  and  to  read  and  me" 
ditate  on  the  Holy  Scriptures ;  and  since  the  Lord  hath  blessed 
such  means  to  your  profit,  you  ought  to  persevere  therein.  For, 
through  such  means,  to  my  joy  and  satisfaction,  I  have  heard  of 
three  that,  with  proportionable  ability,  preach  the  gospel  of  Christ^ 
viz.,  the  two  Brothers  Blenkinsops,  and  Brother  Wharton,  besides 
those  you  had  before.  Now,  I  beseech  you,  brethren,  be  not  neg- 
ligent to  employ  them ;  but  call  them  to  preach,  byi  course,  in  your 
meetings.  Moreover,  I  have  this  to  request  you,  that  you  may 
study  the  due  order  of  the  gospel,  to  keep  up  among  you  elders 
and  deacons.  This  church  yhad  formerly  three  elders,  and  three 
deacons,  and  now  but. one  of  each;  and  as  for  myself,  I  am  be- 
come useless,  and  cannot  serve,  though  I  long  and  pray  for  your 
orderly  state  and  happiness  when  I  am  gone.  Let  others  harms 
be  your  warnings.  I  have  lived  to  see  and  hear  other  churches 
fading  away  and  coming  to  nothing,  for  neglecting  the  due  use  of 
orderly  means  when  God  afforded  it.  Thus,  brethren,  I  commend 
you  to  the  protection  and  direction  of  the  Almighty,  and  ever 
abide,  your  aged  and  infirm  brother,  and  companion  in  the  bonds 
of  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  our  Lord  and  Saviour. 

JOHN  WARD." 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  Deed  by  which  Mr.  Ward 
gave  to  the  church  £100  on  his  decease : — 

"To  Wm.  Carr,  Muggleswick ;  Henry  Angus,  of  Hindley; 
Cuthbert  Ward,  of  Calffall;  and  Jonathan  Angus,  of  Low 
Panshields;  I,  John  Ward,  your  poor,  aged,  and  infirm  bro- 
ther, and  unworthy  brother  and  companion  in  the  kingdom  and 
patience  of  Jesus  Christ,  sendeth  Christian  salutation.  Dearly 
beloved  brethren,  I  do,  by  this  present  writing,  declare,  that 
as  I  had  been  the  poor  unworthy  instrument  to  promote  the 
raising  of  a  stock,  in  the  churches,  for  the  encouragement  and 
support  of  a  gospel  ministry;  although,  through  grace,  with 
hard  labour,  I  ran  through  many  difficulties  to  serve  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,  and  this  poor  church  freely  for  above  fifty  years, 
and  thereby  made  sensible  of  the  great  temptations,  and  many 
difficulties  that  attend  those  that  minister  for  the  Lord,  &c.  I 
was  pressed  in  spirit,  to  provoke  and  stir  the  Lord's  people,  to 
raise  a  stock,  to  be  kept  among  'them  for  that  end.  'And  that 


1,30  HISTOBY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  QBRJBCHES 

Witlj  the  particulars  of  his  jniipstry,  as  well  as  the  cbiaQsr 
of  his  personal -'history,  we  are  tpiaequaintedi.  But  that 

I  might  not  put  harder  things  on  others,  than  I  would  freely  take 
part  of  myself,  I  promised  to  give  one  hundred  pounds  at  my- 
death,  whereupon,  by  a  deed  of  assignment,  twenty-two  years 
ago,  in  trust  to  Henry  Blacket,  Geo.  Johnson,  Thomas  Wheatly, 
and  Henry  Angus,  of  one  hundred  pounds,  to  help  to  maintain 
an  orderly  settled  ministry  in  the  church.  And  the  foremen- 
tioned  persons  being  all  removed  by  death,  I  do,  by  this  present 
writing,  nominate,  the  above  name  Wm.  Can-,  &c.,  being  all 
members  of  the  church  in  Derwent-waterside,  iwhere  the  true' 
state  of  the  church,  &e.,  was  first  fixed,  &c.,  about  sixty  years 
bypast.  Always,  provided,  that  the  ministers  are  sound  in  the 
faith  and  fundamental  principles  of  the  gospel — personal  election 
flowing  out  of  the  true  love  and  grace  of  God  in  and  for  Jesus 
Christ — who  is  the  head  and  first  chosen  of  God  and  precious ; 
and  we  are  freely  chosen  in  him,  before  the  foundation  of  the 
world.  The  true  and  special  fruits  thereof,  are  faith  unfeigned, 
which  works  by  love,  repentance  unto  newness  of  life,  and  final 
perseverance  therein.  All  which  are  the  free  and  gracious  gifts 
of  God,  which  we  ought  never  to  weary  in  waiting  on  him  for,  in 
fervent  prayer,  to  increase  our  assured  evidence  thereof  in  our 
souls.  All  of  these,  and  the  like  considerations,  I  humbly  request 
and  entreat  you,  as  ye  will  answer  to  the  Lord,  that  you  use  the 
best  and  utmost  endeavours,  that  the  money  I  have  freely  given, 
be  carefully  kept  up,  and  improved,  to  the  best  advantage,  and  the 
yearly  profits  thereof  faithfully  disposed  of  for-  the  end  and  pur- 
pose for  which  I  always  designed  it,  so  long-  as  the  Church  is  in 
being,  which  I  pray  the  gracious  Lord  God  long  to  continue  in 
practice  and  soundness  of  principle,  and  holiness  of  life.  And, 
moreover,  each  one  shall  keep  a  copy  of  this,  and  when  any  one  is 
called  away  by  death,  this  writing  may  be  given  to  another  bro» 
ther  of  the1  same  congregation,  chosen  by,  and  with  the  consent  of, 
the  congregation.  Thus,  brethren,  hoping  you  will  be  willing  to 
accept  of  this  small  piece  of  service  for  the  precious  Lord  Jesus' 
sake,  and  on  behalf  of  the  church  to  which  yon  are  so  nearly  re- 
lated, and  for  me,  his  poor  unworthy  servant,  who  hath  na  other- 
end  or  design  but  the  glory  of  God,  with  the  happiness  of  this  poor : 
church,  which  my  soul  longs  and  daily  prays  to  my  Heavenly  Ea- 
ther  for.  I  commit  it,  therefore,  to  your  trust,  and:  the  cafe  of 
God's  gra.cions  providence;  and  commend  yoi$  to  the  prote,ctipit 


ftf  %m  NOBT      OF 

he  was  a  toatt  of 'piety,  talent,  energy;  ami;  p reseverance 
is  evident,  from  the  whole  course  of  his  lengthened 
career.    The  energy  of  his  mind,  appears  to  have  early 
attracted  the  notice  and  attention  of  his  spiritual  father, 
Mr.  Tillam,  whose  fervent  mind  seemed  always  capti- 
vated by  the  display  of  youthful  piety.    By  him  Mr. 
Ward  was  ordained,  after  the  suffrages  of  the  church* 
an  elder,  in  his  twenty-fifth  year.      The  only  thing 
we  regret  about  him  is,  that  he  ever,  by  .any  kind 
of  influence,  -allowed  himself  to   have   deserted  Mr. 
Tillam  j  his  tutor  and  frien'd.      When,  however,  Mr. 
Tillam  left,  he  seems  from  that  time,  to  havfe  felt 
the  whole  weight  of  the  cause  to  fall  on  his  should- 
ers, and  his  mind  rose  with  his  circumstances.    From' 
that  period,  so  far  as  we  know,  his  energies  never 
flagged;     His  firmness    Was  severely  tested   in  the 
case  of  Elrihgton,  but  he  nobly  rose  above  it.    Gather- 
ing strength  from  the  zeal  of  others,  in  his  sixtieth 
year,  his  liberal  fcoul  devising  liberal  things,  resolved, 
for  the  perpetuity  of  the   cause,  to  devote  to  it  his 
little  savings  when  he  was  gone,  and  thus  induced 
others,  for  the  same  object,  to  be  liberal  too.     God 
blessed  him,  and  owned  his  labours,  for  he  left  the 
cause  in  .a  more  extended  state  than  he  found  it;  and, 
hoary  with  years  and  pious  honours,  he  sunk  to  rest, 
leaving  to  succeeding  generations,  for  their  imitation, 
a  memorial  of  prudent  zeal,  determined  courage,  patient 
perseverance,  and  generous  sympathy,  that,  in  his  hum- 
ble sphere,  has  not  been  often  exceeded.    May  his  man- 
tle rest  on  his  successors.    May  they  never  be  slothful; 

and  direction  of  the  Holy  Lord  God,  in  this  undertaking,  and  all 
things  else  relating  to  your  own,  and  this  poor  church's  comfort 
and  happiness,  both  in  this  world  and  that  which,  is  to  come,  and 
fervently  desiring  ever  to  abide  yours,  and  the  Lord's,  faithful, 
though  unworthy,  servant,  in  the  never-failing  bonds  of  sincere 
Christian  love,  while  I  have  abiding  here,— JOHN  WAilD." 


132  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHJJBCHES 

but  be  followers  of  those,  who  through  faith  and  pati-" 
ence,  are  now  inheriting  the  promises. 

Mr.  "Ward  built  a  house  for  himself,  near  the  banks 
of  the  Derwent,  a  little  south  of  Muggleswick,  which 
still  remains,  and  is  in  the  possession  of  the  descendants 
of  his  brother,  Cuthbert  Ward,  also  baptized  by  Mr. 
Tillam,  and  a  minister  of  the  same  church.  From  all  the 
writer  can  ascertain,  Mr.  Ward  himself  left  no  issue,  but 
descendants  from  the .  family  of  his  brother  Cuthbert, 
and  perhaps  two  others  named  Michael  and  Anthony, 
are  connected,  under  different  names,  with  several 
Baptist 'churches,  to  the  present  day.  Messrs.  George 
and  John  White,  of  Barnard  Castle,  &c.,  with  many 
others,  have  descended  from  this  family. 

It  is  worthy  of  notice,  that  the  year  of  Mr.  Ward's 
death,  was  that  in  which  the  Baptist  fund,  in  London, 
proposed  in  1689,  was  fully  matured  and  established. 
Its  value  is  felt  throughout  the  different  churches  in 
England  and  Wales,  particularly  in  the  rural  districts. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  133 


THffiD.-FBOM  1717  TO  1770. 


CHAPTER  I. 

• 

The  times. — Mob  persecutions.— Executions.— Mr.  Paul,  a  cler- 
gyman.— The  Court  favours  Dissenters. — The  Presbyterians. 
— Arian  question. — The  Baptists  in  the  North. — The  ministers. 
— Their  learning. —Cold  Rowley  Meeting. — Hamsterley. — 
Bridlington.— -Jonathan  Angus. — His  family. — Newcastle— 
Tuthill  Stairs  Chapel  purchased. — Mr.  West. — Broughton. — 
Hamsterley.— -Knaresdale.  —Richard  Coultherd. — Bridlington. 

— Hamsterley Tottiebank. — Oulton. — Mr.   Tiffin.  —Mixed 

Marriages.— Broughton  from  1727—1740,  no  knowledge  of  as- 
sociations.— Death  of  George  the  First. 

THE  period  of  our  narrative,  on  which  we  now  enter, 
was  quite  a  new  era  in  the  history  of  Britain,  and  of 
the  Christian  Church  within  its  limits.  The  Hano- 
verian Family  was  now  firmly  seated  on  the  throne; 
the  rebellion  of  the  Pretender  and  his  adherents  being 
overthrown,  and  the  councils  of  the  nation  directed 
by  the  consummate  ability  of  Sir  Robert  Walpole. 
It  is,  however,  matter  of  regret,  rather  than  surprise, 
that  the  different  sections  of  the  professed  Christians, 
engaged  in  compassing  the  E  evolution  and  the  Hano- 
verian succession,  did  not  cease  from  their  previous 
animosities.  The  old  principles  of  persecution  and 
resistance  came  again  into  play.  The  high  church 
party  had  still  the  will,  if  not  the  power,  to  persecute ; 

and",  at  times,  both  by  mobs,  and  the  introduction  of  cer- 

M 


134  HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

tain  motions  in  parliament,  they  tended  much  to  annoy 
the  Dissenters,  and  to  disturb  public  tranquillity.* 

The  affecting  executions,  also,  that  took  place,  at 
this  time,  of  such  of  the  nobility,  gentry,  clergy,  t 
and  of  others,  engaged  in  the  rebellion  of  1715,  pro- 
duced the  unhappy  effect  of  continuing  the  nation  in 
an  alienated  state  upwards  of  forty  years.  Executions 
generally  produce  martyrs  to  principles,  however  noxi- 
ous ;  but  generous  forgiveness  to  fallen  greatness,  on 
the  brink  of  ruin  and  death,  has,  generally  speaking, 
the  happy  result  of  conquering  the  heart  'and  unnerving 
the  arm,  in  the  cause  of  future  opposition.  As  -honesty  is 
said  to  be  the  best  •policy>  so  it  will  be  uniformly  found, 
that  the  truest  .policy  for  man,  whether  as  nations,  or 
as  individuals,  is  to  act  oh  ;the  mild,  "peaceable,  and 
forgiving  principles  of  Christianity. 

I  The  Nonconformists  acquired,  at  the  period  of  the 
/  Revolution,  toleration  to  carry  on  their  own  worship 
1  unmolested,  and  it  was  surprising  how  instantaneously 
\  they  seized  the  advantage,  to  sustain  the  enfeebled  com- 

*  A  number  of  mobs  were  excited  at  Oxford,  'Birmingham, 
Chjppenham,  and  Norwich,  under  the  influence  of  the  Sacheverel 
mania.  At  Oxford,  the  Presbyterian,  Quaker,  and  Baptist  Meet- 
ing-houses were  gutted,  the  windows  broken,  and  doors  Cafrreft 
away. 

f  One  Wm.  Paul,  a  clergyman,  was  hanged,  drawn,  and  quar- 
tered, at  Tyburn,  for  high  treason  against  King  George  TL,  iStb. 
July,  1716.  The  end'of  his  dyiiig  declaration  was,  "As  to  my. 
body,  I  wish  ;I  had  quarters  enough  ;to  send  to  every  parish  of  the 
kingdom,  to  testify  that  a  clergyman  of  the  Church  of  England 
was  martyred  for  being  loyal  to  the  -King,"  (James  the  Third). 
.Lord,  what  is  man,  that  a  man  should  be  found  to  die  in  defence 
of  the  divine-right  of  kings  to  do  wrong,  and  rule  as  they  please. 
"Well  might  Paul,  another  Paul  from  the  present,  say,  "  Though 
I  give  my  body  to'be  burned,  and  have'hot  charity,!  anv  nothing.'' 
-—Bogue  and  Bennetfs  History  of  the  Dissenters,  Vol.  iU.,s 
122. 


.  IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  135'" 

among  them,  and  to  fit  their  ministry  for  more 
extended,  usefulness ;  but  still  time  was  needed  to  bring 
both  the  nation  and  the  church  into  something  like  a 
settled  condition.  This,  however,  though  not  fully,  wa_s 
yet,  tp  a  considerable  degree  attained,  after  the  extinction 
of  the  insurrection  of  1715.  In  that  matter,  having  given 
unequivocal  evidence  of  their  attachment  to  liberal 
principles  and  the  Hanoverian  succession,  the  Dissen- 
<;ers  became  decided  favourites  with  George  the  First 
find  his  ministry.  The  king,  to  evince  his.  personal 
attachment,  bestowed  on  them  an  annual  grant,  which 
has  since  been  continued,  under  the  name  of  the  Regium 
D.Qnum,  to  the  present  time.  From  this  period,  then, 
may  be  dated,,  that  outward  prosperity,  which  for  nearly 
one  hundred  and  fifty  years,  they  have  enjoyed,  sitting 
under  their  own  vine  and  fig-tree,  none  daring  to  m^ke 
them  afraid. 

The  Presbyterians  were,  at  this  time,  by  far  the  most 
numerous  party  among  the  Dissenters  in  England. 
This  arose  from  the  greater  number  of  the  ministers 
who  left  the  Establishment,  on  the  passing  of  the  Act  of 
Uniformity,  in  1662,  being  of  that  persuasion.  A  con- 
siderable number  of  the  nobility  and  gentry  accom- 
panied them  in  their  dissent ;  but,  gradually,  as  vital 
godliness  relaxed,  and  ambition  grew,  their  descendants 
withdrew,  and  returned  to  the  bosom  of  the  State 
Cjiu.rch.  In  the  meantime,  their  ministers  were  learned 
men,  the  majority  of  them  very  pious  and  orthodox 
|n  their  views;  but  others  much  given  to  speculation 
and  the  spirit  of  the  world.  In  1717,  began  among 
them,  the  baneful  Arian  question,  which,  in  the  course  of 
forty  years,  became  the  grave  of  most  of  their  churches ; 
and  most  of  those  of  the  General  Baptists  were  drawn 
.  into  the  same  vortex.  The  Independents,  and  the  Par- 
ticular Baptists,  still  retained  their  orthodoxy ;  though 

M  2 


136  fflSTOBY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUECHES 

many  of  the  latter,  through  the  circulation  of  the  writ- 
ings of  Crisp,  and  the  influence  of  Dr.  Gill,  Mr.  Brine, 
and  others,  imbibed  the  supralapsarian  doctrines  of  eter- 
nal justification,  &c.,  which  tended  much  to  direct  their 
minds  to  fruitless  speculations,  chilled  the  piety  of  the 
churches,  and  greatly  checked  their  usefulness  in  the 
world. 

Having  made  these  remarks,  respecting  the  state  of 
the  nation,  the  Dissenters  in  general,  and  the.  Baptists 
in  particular,  through  the  period  we  are  now  sur- 
veying, we  now  proceed  to  tra'ce-the  progress- of  the 
Baptist  cause  in  the  North  of  England.  It  is;  however, 
the  subject  of  much  regret,  that  so  few  of  the  churches 
have  any  records  of  their  former  state  left.  The  hints 
we  have  are  very  meagre,  and  with  regard  to  these, 
except  as  exhibiting*-a  connecting  link  with  the  chain 
of  former  and  latter  events,  to  the  general  reader 
they  have  but  comparatively  little  interest;  with  the 
exception  of  the  incidents  which  led  to  the  connexion  of 
the  distinguished  Robert  Hall  with  the "Baptist  deno- 
mination ;  and  also  those  which  had  the  same  effect  on 
his  antagonist,  on  the  Free  Communion  Question,  Mri 
Joseph  Kinghorn. 

Among  the  different  arrangements  of  Providence  we 
are  led  to  admire,  oneis  the  gradual  melting  of  one  gene- 
ration of  human  beings  into  another.  In  what  a  dreary 
-state  would  the  race  of  men  he  left,  if,  during  the  infancy 
of  one  generation,  the  whole  of -'the  former  had  passed 
away.  Thanks  to  infinite  wisdom,  it  is  appointed 
otherwise;  the  light  of  one  age  is  reflected  by  another; 
and  thus  knowledge  is  perpetuated  and  increased,  as 
the  successive  generations  of  men  pass  across  "the  stage 
of  time.  Blacket  and  Ward  had  passed  away,  from  the 
superintendence  of  the  church  lying  bet  ween  the  Tyne 
and  the  Wear;  but,  Mr.  William  Carr, — a  mania  a 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  '137 

great  degree  taught-  by  themselves, — now  sustained,  by 
his  skill  and  energy,  the  sacred  cause,  from  which 
death  had  called  them  away. 

Mr.  Carr  obtained  an  assistant,  in  1710,  i'n  the  per- 
son of  Mr.  Michael  Wharton ;  and  he  was  indeed  not 
obtained  till  needed.  This  need  arose  from  the  growing  \ 
infirmities  of  Mr.  "Ward,  and  his  own  distance  from  the 
southern  branch  of  the  church.  Other  two  brethren, 
also,  appear  to  have  been  called  soon  after,  to  his  as- 
sistance; Mr.  Simon  Shaw,  in  1714;  and  Mr.  Gabriel 
Fell,  probably  about  the  time  of  Mr.  Ward's  death,  as 
he  was  recalled  by  the  church  with  which  he  was  ori- 
ginally connected — the  church  at  Torver,  in  Furness- 
Fells,  to  assist  themselves,  who  were  then  in  a  state  of 
destitution,  in  1718.*  Besides  these,  three  others  of  the 
brethren  ministered  among -them  occasionally,  Mr. 
Samuel  Nicholls,  Mr.  Samuel  Blehkinsop,  and  his 
brother  Robert,  as  referred  to  in  Mr.  "Ward's  letters.  . 
•  "With  regard  to  the  natural  capability  of  these  per- 
sons, and  the  amount  of  their  information,  we  have  no 
direct  knowledge.  They  were,  however,  selected  like 
the  first  Christian  bishops,  by  a  voluntary  society, 
to  instruct  them  in  the  knowledge  of  the  will  of  God  as 
revealed  in  the  Bible.  Of  the  amount  of  their  know- 
ledge and  their  ability  to  impart  it,  the  society  had  had 
clear  proof,  in  their  teaching,  previous  to  their  selection. 
It  is  true  they  were  all  men  employed  in  some  humble 
calling;  but  so  were  the  apostles;  so  was  Bunyan;;so 
was  Fuller;  so  was  Carey.  Genius  is  not  confined  to 
either  birth,  rank,  or  learning ;  the  mantle  of  the  poet, 

•  Owing,  probably,  to  the  temporal  circumstances  of  Mr.  Fell, 
he  did  not  seem  disposed  to  return.  This  being  contrary  to  church 
order  at  that  time,  the  church  at  Hamsterley  took  the  precaution 
to  suspend  him  from  communion,  till  the  church  at  Torver  and 
he  came  to  a  proper  understanding.  The  affair  ended  in  Mr. 
Fell's  continuance  at  Hamsterley. 

M3 


138  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

the  linguist,  the  philosopher,  or  the  theologian,  -in  de- 
^scending,  often  alights  in  the  most  fitful  manner,  as  we 
may  suppose,  on  those,  who,  of  all  others,  in  their  gene-; 
aratioa,  were  least  likely  to  wear  it. 

il  Full  many  a  gem  of  purest  ray  serene, 
The  dark,  unfathomed,  caves  of  ocean  bear : 
Full  many  a  flower  is  born  to  blush  unseen, 
And  waste  its  sweetness  on  the  desert  air." 

As  to  Messrs.  Ward  and  Carr,  there  is  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  they  were  both,  in  some  degree,  classical 
scholars.  The  former  on  his  decease,  gave,  not  only 
-his  hundred  pounds  to  ^the  support  of  the  cause,  but 
liis-  library  for  the  benefit  of  his  successors  in  the 
ministry.  Of  this,  we  have  a  list  in  the  archives  of 
the  church,  containing  not  only  books  in  theology,  but 
•of  history,  and  the  learned  languages.  In  Latin, 
we  have  Figures  Grammatics,  Corderius,  Ovid  and 
Horace,  a  Bible  and  Testament,  Institutio  Logica, 
De  Sacramentum,  &c. ;  also  a  French  Grammar. 
In  Greek,  a  Grammar,  a  Clavis  Linguae,  and  a  New 
Testament.  In  Hebrew,  there  is  the  Gritica  Sacra> 
Thesaurus  Biblicus,  &c.  In  church  and  general  his- 
tory, Eusebius,  Josephus,  &e,,  Cromwell's  Life,  Eikon 
Basilike,  Bennet's  Reformation,  &c. ;  and  in  theology 
and  scriptural  exposition,  Dr.  Owen  on  the  Hebrews, 
and  on  the  person  of  Christ;  Caryl  on  Job.;  and  some  of 
the  works  of  Crisp,  and  Goodwin,  and  Baxter,  and 
Bunyan>  Flavel,  IJshery  &c.  The  amount,  in  all, 
was  above  one  hundred  and  eighty.  Surely  these 
men,  could  not  be  said  to  be  ignorant,  if  they  closely 
studied  their  Bibles,  with  the  help  of  all  these.  They 
were  men  who  did  not  love  ignorance.;  as  one  of  their 
books  was  entitled,  "The  Excellency  of  Learning." 
Their  library  was  one  that  far  excelled  Bunyan's, 
when,  in  Bedford  goal,  he  wrote,  his  immortal  Pilgrim. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  139 

Learning  greatly  aids  genius ;  but  genius  often  soars 
above  it.  Many  of  the  Baptists,  however,  in  the  age 
of  Bunyan,  with  all  their  native  talent,  felt,  like  him, 
their  want  of  education;  and  therefore,  in  their  first 
General  Assembly,  after  the  Revolution,  one  of  their 
great  objects,  in  raising  a  denominational  fund,  was 
to  ;assist  their  ministers  in  acquiring  a  knowledge  of 
Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew,  with  a  view  better  to  under- 
stand the  lively  Oracles  of  God,  and  teach  them  to  their 
people. 

As  the  section  of  the  church,  on  the  Wear,  had  had  a 
meeting-house  erected  for  their  use,  so,  the  section  on 
the  Derwent  erected  one  for  themselves.  Its  site  was 
on  the  bleak  heights,  above  the  vale  'of  the  Derwent, 
on  what  was  called  the  Maynesfield,  contiguous  to  the 
little  hamlet  of  Cold  Rowleys  The  year  of  its  erection 
is  not  stated ;  but  Mr.  Carr  is  said  'to  have  preached  at 
Rowley,  January  12,  1717 :  and,  on  the  16th  Novem- 
ber, the  same  year,  it  was  resolved,  by  the  church.,  .that 
he  should  preach  one  Sabbath  at  Hamsterley,  and  the 
other  at  Cold  Rowley. f 

*  Connected  with  the  building  of  this  Chapel,  there  are  stated 
a  few  historical  incidents.  1st.  It  cost  £33  3s  3d.  Money  raised 
£26  7»  6d.  Mr.  Carr  had  to  collect  the  money  on  Tyneside,  and 
other  places.  He  had  one  pound  paid  Trim  for  his  expenses.  2nd. 
Part  of  the  money  seems  to  have  been  collected  at  Newcastle,  as 
Mr.  Carr  is  said  to  have  gone  twice  there;  and  Mr.  Daniel  "West, 
and  others  I  there,  very  probably,  gave  £5  9s.  Mr.  West,  was 
probably,  the  father  or  relative  of  Mr.  George  "West,  who  afterward 
purchased  Tuthill  Stairs,  and  was  a  member  of  the  church  there 
for -a  considerable  time.  3rd.  Caleb  Jopling  seems  to  have  ob- 
tained the  principal  sum  for  the  building  of  it.  This  Caleb  was  a 
member  of  the  church.  He  was  probably  the  eldest  son  of  Andrew 
Jopling,  of  Satley.  He  had  a  son  of  his  own  name,  who  went  to 
London,  and  was  hence  called  London  Caleb.  His  daughter's 
name  was  Mary,  married  to  John  Angus,  of  Dotland  Park. 

•f  Another  resolution  was  also  at  this  time  passed  to  the  following 
effect:  Bro.  Jos.  Hall,  and  Bro.  Hen.  Hall,  were  appointed  by  the 


f 


140  HISTOEY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

1  1718. — The  annual  association  was  held  in  1717  and 
1818,  at  Hamsterley.  Much  complaint  is  made  of  the 
withered  state  of  the  churches,  owing  chiefly  to  dissen- 
sions among  the  members.  The  churches  are  enjoined, 
to  humhle  themselves  before  God,  and  to  endeavour,  in 
his  strength,  to  maintain,  for  the  future,  "  the  unity  of 
the  Spirit  in  the  bonds  of  peace."  They  are  also  called 
to  repeat  their  thanksgivings,  for  the  deliverance  of 
the  nation,  from  foreign  and  domestic  enemies. 

1719. — The  next  annual  meeting  was  held  at  Brid- 
lington,  in  1719.  At  this  association,  an  unanimous  re- 
quest, from  the  church  at  Broughton,  was.  presented  to 
the  church  at  Hamsterley,  that  they  might  be  favoured 
with  the  ministrations  of  Mr.  Samuel  Blenkinsop,  whose 
name  has  already  been  mentioned,  as  a  member  and  mi- 
nister at  Hamsterley.  It  was  decided,  "  that  it  seemed 
to  them  desirable  that  Mr.  Blenkinsop  should  comply 
with  the  prayer  of  the  invitation." 

1720. — The  year  1720  affords  some  incidents  of  spe- 
cial interest.  Mr.  Jonathan  Angus  was  chosen  deacon 
of  the  church  at  Rowley  and  Hamsterley: — a  man  to 
whom  the  Baptist  cause  is  deeply  indebted  for  the 
piety,  zeal,  fortitude,  and  perseverance,  which  he  mani- 

church,  to  take  care  of  the  church's  stock,  as  .trustees  for  the 
.  church.  These  gentlemen  were  brothers,  living  at  Monkfield, 
near  Hamsterley ;  probably,  the  sons  of  Mr.  "William  Hall,  to 
whom,  along  with  others,  an  index  of  the  works  of  Bunyan,  was 
"presented  by  Charles  Roe  and  William  Marshall,  because  of  his 
good  will  in  the  printing  of  this  folio,  1692."  This  William  is 
supposed  to  be  the  brother  of  Mrs.  Abigail  Angus,  mentioned  in 
the  succeeding  page.  Their  father's  name  is  at  present  unknown. 
The  above  Joseph  Hall,  was  father  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Hall,  of 
Monkfield,  married  to  Miss  Sarah  Stobbs,  both  members  of  the 
church  at  Hamsterley,  and  whose  family  has  long  occupied  the 
same  place,  and  opened  their  house  for  the  preaching  of  the  gospel 
to  others.  Several  other  descendants  of  Mr.  Jos.  Hall,  have  either 
been  supporters  of  the  cause,  or  members  of  Baptist  churches'! 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  141 

Tested  during  the  lengthened  period  of  fifty  years  that 
he  held  the  office  of  deacon.* 

The  church  at  Newcastle,  is,  this  year,  prominently 
hrought  under  our  notice.  How  long  Mr.  James  Tur- 
ner, the  pastor  in  1674,  continued  to  he  the  pastor  of 
this  people,  is  unknown.  A  Mr.  John  Turner,  is  said 
to  he  a  minister  at  Newcastle,  in  1689.  Whether  there 
iis  a  mistake  in  the  name,  or  whether  he  was  the  son  of 
Mr.  James  Turner,  or  another  person  of  the  same  name, 
are  circumstances  now  heyond  our  decision.  Mr.  Ri- 
chard Pitts,  is  said  to  he  pastor  of  this  church,  in  1689 
and  1691.  In  1698  Mr.  Pitts  was  still  alive,  as  he  as- 
sisted at  the  ordination  of  Mr.  Prudom,  at  Bridlington. 
It  is  probahle,  however,  that  a  few  years  afterwards 
he  was  either  removed  in  a.  declining  state,  or  dead;  as 
the  case  of  the  church  at  Newcastle,  is  urged  on  the 
churches  at  the  association  of  1704,  and  the  same  in 
1 706,  along  with  that  of  the  church  at  Pontefract.  Thus 

*  Mr.  J.  Angus  was  the  eldest  son  of  John  Angus,  second  son 
of  Henry  Angus,  of  Bow  House.  His  mother  was  Abigail  Hall,  . 
of  Monkfield.  Of  her,  it.  is  said,  that  when  certain  persecutots 
came  to  apprehend  her  husband,  she  so  ably  vindicated  him  and 
his  dissent,  that  the  leader,  Sir.  B.  Fenwick,  turned  away,  say- 
ing, "  Thou  art  a  clever  hussy,  it  is  a  pity  thou  shouldst  be  a 
fanatic  I"  Her  son  Jonathan  inherited  her  spirit  and  capacity, 
for  in  1715,  he  stood  single  and  alone  among  the  tenantry  of  Der- 
wentwater,  on  the  side  of  the  House  of  Hanover,  where  the  Earl 
summoned  his  retainers  to  sustain  the  claims  of  the  Pretender. 
Mr.  Angus  had  two  brothers:  1st.  William,  who  settled  .in  Sun- 
derlani,  but  had  no  issue.  2nd.  John,  who  became  a  Quaker. 
He  had  also  three  sisters,  but  of  them  we  know  nothing.  He 
married  Priscilla,  daughter  of  his  uncle  George,  of  Newcastle, 
and  had  by  her  seven  daughters.  1st.  Mary  Soppit.  2nd.  Han- 
nah Hall.  3rd,  Abigail  Angus,  second  wife  of  "William,  of  Sty- 
ford.  4th.  Priscilla  Surtees,  Slaly.  5th.  Deborah  Angus,  wife 
of  Jonathan,  of  Hindley.  6th.  Kuth  Robson,  Yorkshire.  7th. 
Catharine  Leybourne.  He  had  one  son,  Mr.s  George  Angus,  of 
Word, 


142  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHTETBQHES 

we  have  slight  notices  of  the,  existeo.ee  qf  this  churchy 
till  within  fourteen  years  of,  the  present,  da.te,  1720. 

Where  the  church  had  met,  previously  to/  this,  period, 
we  are  not  informed.,  At  this  time^.  however,  w.e  aore.  told; 
that  Mr.  George  "West,  a,  wealthy  ^ejnber  of  the  church* 
purchased  for  ^120,  an  old  bu^ng,  for  the  use  pf  the 
society.  It  stood  on  the  east  side  of  Tuthill-s,tajr^ 
opposite  the  Mansion  House.  The  lower  part  was  a, 
large  room,  the  ceiling  of  which  is  highly  ornamented, 
and  the  walls  covered  with  a  neat  wainscotting,  on 
which  was  a  wooden  tablet,  with  the  figures  1588,  The 
original  use  of  this  room  is  unknown ;  but  it  is,  clear, 
that  the  Corporation  of  Newcastle,  previously  to  the 
Revolution,  attended  it  as  a  place  of  worship,  as  there 
were  affixed  to  the  old  pews  two  hands,,  for  holding  the 
sword  and  the  mace  of  the  corporation.  At  the  period 
of  our  narrative,  this  room,  was  converted  into  a,  n>eet-! 
ing-house,  for  the  Baptists  of  Newcastle^  and  the  upper 
part  of  the  building  into  a  dwelling-house  for  the  minis- 
ter. "Who  the  minister  at  this  time  was,  however,  or 
what  was  the  condition  of  the  churchj,  we  are  not 
informed. 

1721. — In  1721  the  association  was  held  at  Brough- 
ton.  Mr.  Samuel  Blenkinsop  would- now  be  minister  of 
the  church  in  this  place.  The  letter  again  laments  the 
low  state  of  the  church,  and  calls  on  all  their  members 
to  mourn  over  this,  the  want  of  spiritual  gifts,  and  that 
they  would  pray  the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  He 
would  thrust  forth  more  labourers  into  his  harvest.. 

1722. — The  annual  meeting  was  held  at  Hamsterley, 
in  1722.  Complaints  are  made  this  year,  of  the  want 
of  love  to  the  brethren  and  the  cause  in  general ;  mixed 
marriages  also,  and  formality  in  preaching,  are  deeply 
lamented.  To  remedy  these,  the  churches  are  request- 
ed to  fast  and  pray ;  to  put  on  holy  resolution ;  to  turn 
to  the  Lord;  to  keep  a  spirit  of  watchfulness  over  their 


•*c  m  THE  NO&TH  c&  ENGLAND;  143 

own  'hearts ;  to  be  fcequent  in  the  use  of  means ;  and  to 
•have  a  ^trict  regard  to  discipline.  The  Annual  Letter, 
is  concluded  by  a  recommendation,  to  make  a  liberal 
•contribution  once  a 'year,  tolbe  disposed  of  by  the  mes- 
«engers,  for  the' benefit  of  the  poorer  churches. 

Baptist  principles  seem,  hy  this  time,  to  have  taken 
root  in  Knaresdale,  the  south-west  corner  of  Northum- 
berland, lying  between  Alston  and  Haltwhistle.  It  is  also 
?a  mining  district,  and  it  is  not  improbable,  that  Messrs. 
"Ward,  and  Carr  had  preached  in  this  neighbourhood, 
-and  had  not  preached  in  vain,  as  a  church  seems  to 
have  been  formed  here.    A  Mr.  Richard  Goltherd  ap- 
'peaSrs  to  -have  been  a  gifted  brother  among  them ;  and  as 
ft  was  the  :practice  at  this  period,  for  one  church  to  re- 
ceive supplies  of  ministers,  and  pastors  to  he  set  over 
them,  from  other  churches,  so,  in  relation  to  the  chureb. 
•ia  Knaresdale,  they  were  requested,  by  the  church  'at 
T'orver,  cor  Hawksheadhill,  to  allow  Mr.  Coltherd  td 
become  ^their  mmister.    To  this,  the  Kiiaresdale  :people 
consented,  nmder  the  following  proviso:    "That  the 
church  at  Torver  shall  not  lay  any  claim  to  brother 
€o!therd>    or  |  yet  detain   him    any   longer  from  the 
friends  in  Knaresdale,  than  during  their  pleasure ;   and 
he,  the  same  Kichard  Coltherd,  promises  to  be  subject 
to  his" own  church's  call,  whenever  they  called  him;  he 
going  into  Lancashire,  only  as  lent  for  a  time  to  that 
people  ;    and,   furthermore,  by   God's   assistance,  he 
would  be  with  the  Knaresdale  friends^  to  preach,  and  to 
be  amongst  them,  three  Lord's  days,  in  every  quarter 
of  the  year,  during  his  stay  in  Lancashire,  and  oftener 
if  required.— Nov.  5, 1722. 

Testes.— JACOB  BROUGH. 
(Witnesses,)  WILLM.  CARR." 
1723.— At  Bridlington,  still  under  'the  able  ministry 
of  Mr.  Braithwaite,  the  association  was  held  in  1723, 
In  their  letter  to  the  churches  this  year,  the  ministers 


144     .      HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHDBCHES 

and  messengers  gave  thanks  for  their  religious  liberty, 
the  peaceful  state  of  some  of  the  churches,  and  the  in- 
crease of  others.  The  state  of  some  of  the  other 
churches  is  deplored;  and  they  request  that  the  mi- 
nutes of  the  general  meeting  should  be  preserved  in 
their  church-books,  that  they  may  be  ever  at  hand, 
when  required. 

1724. — In  1724,  the  association  met  at  Hamsterley. 
The  letter  to  the  churches  is  very  brief,  and  contains 
nothing  of  any  particular  historical  importance. 

There  is  another  circumstance  that  occurred  this  year, 
that  deserves  to  be  noted,  namely,  the  making,  of  the 
will  of  Wm.  Tiffin,  Esq.,  Thornby,  Cumberland.  This 
.will  has  a  relation  to  the  property  this  gentlemen  left 
at  Stanger,  near  Cockermouth,  for  the  endowment  of  a 
small  place  of  worship,  at  Oulton,  a  village  near  to 
"Wigton,  Cumberland.  This  property  consists  of  a  mes- 
suage, a  tenement,  and  some  parcels  of  land.  The 
reason  of  the  bequest  we  are  unacquainted  with ;  but, 
it  is  probable,  that  either  Mr.  Tiffin  was  a  Baptist  him- 
self, or  connected  with  the  Baptists  in  some  way,  which 
induced  Mm  to  take  a  deep  interest  in  their  comfort 
and  usefulness.* 

•  The  terms  of  the  Will  are  to  the  following  effect:  "The 
trustees  to  pay  the  rents  and  profits  thereof,  lay  out,  and  apply 
to,  and  for,  the  maintenance  of  the  teachers  and  preachers  of  the 
meeting  or  congregation,  commonly  called  by  the  name  of  Ana- 
baptists, now  held  at  Oulton,  aforesaid,  and  their  successors,  for 
the  time  being,  for  ever,  and  to  such  other  public  uses,  for  the 
support  and  maintenance  of  the  said  meeting,  whensoever  they 
shall  meet  and  assemble  within  the  county  of  Cumberland,  afore- 
said, as  to  them,  the  said  trustees  shall  seem  meet."  Might  not 
a  judicious  arrangement,  in  connexion  with  holy  zeal,  enable  the 
trustees  to  devote  this  endowment  in  assisting  two  ministers — 
the  one  at  Broughton,  and  the  other  at  Wigtou,  embracing 
Oulton?  The  Home  Mission  might  usefully  assist  in  such  an 
arrangement. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  145 

The  commencement  of  the  cause  in  this  village 
is  also  unknown;  but  tradition  says  that  there  were 
in  it  some  Baptists,  who  attended  at  Broughton,  a 
distance  of  nearly  twenty  miles.  To  remedy  this  in- 
convenience, they  got  a  small  chapel  erected  for  them- 
selves ;  and  the  minister  of  Broughton,  with  his  gifted 
brethren,  preached  to  them.  Oulton  may  therefore  be 
regarded,  from  the  beginning,  as  a  branch  of  the 
church  at  Broughton.  .  , 

1725. — The  annual  meeting  was  again  held  at  Ham- 
sterly,  in  1725.  As  the  letter,  this  year,  is  exceedingly 
well  written,  and  refers  to  a  deeply  interesting  subject, 
we  shall  give  the  whole.  A  question  was  presented, 
to  be  solved  by  the  meeting,  for  the  benefit  of  the 
churches,  namely,  "  Whether  it  be  orderly,  for  church 
members  to  marry  such  as  cannot  give  a.  demonstration, 
iu  some  measure,  of  a  work  of  grace  in  the  hearts  of 
those  to  whom  they  are  united  ?" 

In  reply,  it  was  resolved,  —"Nemine  contradicente, 
that,  both  in  respect  to  the  Divine  law,  whereby  all 
such  practice  is  prohibited,  and  the  fatal  consequences 
on  the  disobedient  and  unbelieving,  in  the  days  of  old, 
as  well  as  what  we  have  observed,  in  our  own  days, 
it  can  neither  be  convenient,  orderly,  nor  lawful,  for 
those  who  believe,  to  take  such  as  would  crucify  the  Sa- 
viour afresh.  We  look  upon  such  practice  as  a  piece 
of  the  enemy's  great  artillery,  and  one  of  his  chief  en- 
gines, to  batter  the  walls,  and  storm  the  camp,  of  the 
saints ;  for  when  Israel  could  not  be  cursed  by  the  en- 
chanter, he  enchanted  them  by  this  means,  to  draw  tho 
Lord's  curse  on  themselves.  And  so  it  has  bred  the  ut- 
most misery  in  churches  and  states,  and  occasioned  thp 
overthrow  of  both:  as  seen  Gen.  vi.  2,  4;  Lev.  xxiy. 
10;  Num.  xxv.  1,  &c. ;  Ezra  x.  9 ;  Neh.  xiii.  23  ;  1  Cor. 
vii.  39;  2  Cor.  vi.  14— 16. 

"We  recommend  to  the  churches,  therefore,  not  to 

N 


146  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

run  any  such  dangerous  risque;  and  where  there  is  nofr 
an  outward  profession  of  inward  grace,  satisfactory  to 
the  church,  that  noi  man,  or  woman,  proceed  to,  br  in, 
such  an  affair,  on  his,  or  her,  own  private  opinion  of 
such  person's  grace,  with  whom  there  is  a  prospect  of 
entering  into  the  married  state,  it  being  natural  for  per- 
sons, under  such  circumstances,  to  hearken  more  readily 
to  their  affections  than  judgment;  but  let  them  advise 
with  such  of  the  church,  as  the  person  thinks  it  conve- 
nient to  acquaint  with  the  matter.  And,  since  a  want  of 
due  care  is  herein  indulged,  by  many  professors;  since 
there'  are  visible  decays  of  love,  humility,  and  self-denial, 
and  an  increase  of  formality,  pride,  earthly-mindedriess, 
conformity  to  the  world,  followed  with  a  neglect  of  the 
Lord's  table,  &c.,  in  such  measure,  that  Zion  mourns 
for  the  fewness  that  tread  her  courts,  nay,  she  is 
ashamed  of  the  backslidings  and  looseness  of  her  pfbr 
fessing  sons  and  daughters,  latter  day  evils  are  ram- 
pant, and  latter  day  calamities  tread  fast  after  them. 
The  Lord  has  gone  out,  in  such  providences,  as  are  like 
to  try,  purify,  and  separate  his  gold  from  drnss.  Judg- 
ment is  begun,  in  some  parts,  at  the  house  of  God,  and 
by  such  a  voice,  we  are  called  on,  to  prepare  to  get 
ready  to  meet  the  Lord. 

"Let  not  the  distance  of  our  lands,  from  the  sensible 
effects  of  the  persecutor's  fury,  at  this  day,  satisfy  us, 
as  to  sit  still  and  settle  ourselves  on  our.  lees.  The 
penetrating  eye  of  the  Lord  sees  what  there  is  among- 
us.  0  let  us  humble  ourselves,  and  cry  mightily  to 
the  Lord  to  relieve,  cover  the  heads,  and  warm  the 
hearts,  of  them  on  whom  the  scorching  sun  of  persecu- 
tion has  risen,  as  well  as  preserve  our  lands,  enlighten 
our  minds,  establish  our  hearts,  in  the  doctrine  of  free 
grace  and  justification,  by  the  righteousness  of  Christ? 
alone,  and  to  make  us  every  way  sound  in  the  way,  and 
holy  in  life." 


IN  THE  NORTH  Off  ENGLAND.  147 

The  persecutions  referred  to  in  this  letter,  seem  to 
have  been,  those  raised,  at  this  time,  in  France,  against 
the  Huguenots,  by  the  Due  de  Bourbon,  prime  minister 
of  Louis  XV.  Nearly  all  the  horrors  of  the  revocation 
of  the  Edict  of  Nantes,  under  LO.UIS  the  14th,  were  re- 
enacted  ;  and  would,  doubtless,  have  become  still  more 
severe,  and  also  of  longer  continuance,  had  it  not 
been  for  the  interposition  of  the  Dutch  and  English 
governments. 

Mr.  John  Sedgfield,  of  Liverpool,  by  the  advice  of 
the  Lancashire  Association,  took,  in  1725,  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  church,  at  Tottlebank.* 

1726. — The  association  was  held  in  1726,  at  Brough- 
ton,  in  Cumberland.  Another  iateresting  question  was 
now  proposed,  namely,  "  How  a  church  ought  to  con- 
duct itself  to  those  who  have  withdrawn  from  the  Lord's 
table?"  .The  substance  of  the  reply  is,  "That  as  the 
Lord  has  commanded  the  ordinance  to  be  constantly  at- 
tended to,  in  order  that  his  power  and  wisdom  may  not 
be  impeached,  or  the  authority  given  to  his  church,  in 
reference  to  offenders,  be  not  slighted ;  where  every 
means  has  been  repeatedly  tried,  and  tried  ineffectually, 
we  judge,  it  is  the  church's  duty,  in  love  and  faithful- 
ness to  Christ  and  the  souls  of  their  brethren,  to  deal 
with  them  as  disorderly  persons,  and  withdraw  from 
them."  This  decision,  to  every  candid  mind,  speaks 
for  itself.  These  men,  though  employed  in  business, 
were  nevertheless,  mighty  in  the  scriptures,  and  far  ex- 
ceed our  expectations  in  the  clearness  of  their  views, 
and  the  forcible  manner  in  which  they  express  them. 

1727.— The  next  association  was  appointed  to  be 
held  on  the  4th  and  5th  days  of  the  second  whole 

•  The  reason  of  this  advice  was,  that  Mr.  Sedgfield  could  not 
support  his  family  in  Liverpool,  and  there  was  a  greater  proba- 
bility of  his  doing  so  at  Tottlebank. — M.S.  Record  of  Church  at 
Tottlebank,  How  wonderfully  times  have  altered ! 

N2 


148  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

week  after  Whitsuntide.  This  meeting,  doubtless,  took, 
place  as  usual,  but  we  have  no  letter  of  the  asso- 
cjation  for  that  year.  The  most  of  the  letters  from 
the  churches  are,  however,  preserved.  At  least,  this  is 
the  case  with  those  of  the  churches  at  Bridlington, 
Broughton,  Hawksheadhill,  and  Knaresdale.  As  to 
this  latter  church,  they  express  their  gratitude  to  the 
church  at  Hamsterley,  for  the  frequent  visits  they  have 
had  from  Messrs.  Carr  and  Wharton,  but  particularly 
the  latter.  From  this  year,  1727,  we  have  no  letters, 
either  from  the  churches,  or  from  the  association,  till 
1740.  There  is  reason,  however,  to  believe  that  the 
annual  meetings  were  held  as  usual,  as  the  letter  of 
1740  mentions,  that  "they  had  met  as  they  were 
wont." 

Religious  persecution,  or  freedom,  as  has  been  already 
remarked,  depends  so  much  on  the  nature  of  the  go- 
vernment of  any  country,  that  scarcely  any  portion  of 
ecclesiastical  history  can  be  written  without  reference  to 
the  character  of  the  powers  that  be.  This  is  the  case, 
with  that  part  of  church  history,  written  under  the  guid- 
ance of  the  pen  of  inspiration;  and  so  it  is,  more  or  less, 
with  every  other.  As  we  have  seen,  our  own  country  is 
no  exception.  We  scarcely  can  write  the  history  of  any 
section  of  the  Christian  church  in  Britain,  without  giving 
something  like  a  history  of  the  country  itself.  The  days  of 
persecution,  that  we  have  reviewed,  have  led  to  this  in  our 
own  case ;  and  now  that  these  days  have  fled,  we  ought 
not  to  be  unmindful  of  the  good  we  now  enjoy,  nor  of 
the  instruments  by  whom  we  enjoy  it.  We  began  this 
chapter  by  a  reference  to  the  blessings  Dissenters  pos- 
sessed in  the  early  part  of  last  century,  through  the 
prudent,  sway  of  George  the  First;  we  close  it  now, 
by  a  reference  to  his  death,  this  year,  1727 ;  and,  in 
doing  so,  we  desire  to  raise  our  tribute  of  thankfulness, 
in  the  first  instance,  to 'Him  who  has  the  hearts  of  all 


IN  THE   NORTH  OP  ENGLAND.  149 

men  in  his  hands,  and  turns  them  as  he  turns  the  rivers 
of  water,  for  giving  to  our  never-to-be-forgotten  forefa- 
thers, the  firm,  the  indomitable  determination  that  they 
would  be  free — that  they  would  worship  God  according 
to  the  dictates  of  their  own  conscience,  without  being 
placed  under  the  trammels  of  a  state  church ;  and,  in 
addition,  we  give  thanks  for  the  generous  willingness  of 
the  Brunswick  family  to  accept  of  the  onerous  duties 
attached  to  a  limited  monarchy,  and  their  patriotic 
determination  to  maintain,  entire,  those  undying  princi- 
ples, that  placed  them  on  the  throne  of  the  British 
empire.  - 

George  the  Second  succeeded  his  father,  and  the  helm 
of  the  state  remained  in  the  hands  of  Sir  Robert  Wai- 
pole,  the  steady  friend  of  the  Protestant  Succession ;  the 
strenuous  maintainer  of  national  peace  ;  and  the  warm 
advocate  of  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the  Dissenters.  . 


150  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUBCHES 


CHAPTER   II. 

Ministers  of  Hamsterley,  &c. — Mr.  H  Atkinson. — Mr.  Braith- 
waite,  Bridlington. — Broughton. —  Bridlington. — Broughtoa.— 
Messrs.  Palmer  and  Garner. — J.  and  C.  Wesley. — George 
Whitfield. — Lady  Huntingdon. — John  Glass. — Ebenezer  Ers- 
Idne.  — Moravians.Dr. — Stoddart — Jonathan  Edwards. — ^Asso- 
ciations.—Hamsterley. — Mr.  Garner.— Mr<  G^  Fell's  death. — : 
Broaghton.— Mr.  H.  Palmer. — His  family,  note. — Mr.  Machin,; 
Bridlington.~  Rebellion  in  Scotland. —  Colonel  Gardiner. — 
Cultoden. — Mr.  M.  Wharton's  death.— Anecdote,  Lord  Havens- 
worth.— -  Associations — Death  of  Mr.  Carr'.— Character. — Fa- 
mily.— Mr.  Mitchel. — Bridiington. 

THE  united  church  of  Rowley  and  Hamsterley,  in  the 
interval  elapsing  between  1727  and  1740,  had  still  the 
same  ministers ;  but  Mr.  Carr  was  advancing  in  years 
and  Mr.  Samuel  Nicholls  died  in  the  year  1731.  The 
last  entry  of  the  addition  of  members  to  the  church,  in 
the  hand  of  Mr.  Carr,  is  dated  that  and  the  following 
year.  The  baptisms  of  Joseph  Hall  and  "William  Good- 
burn  are  dated  17th  March,  1731—32.  The  oldest 
letter  of  this  period,  preserved  from  the  wreck  of  time, 
bears  no  annual  date,  but  it  mentions  that  the  associa- 
tion took  place  on  the  8th  and  9th  of  June.  In  this 
epistle,  which  was  sent  from  the  church  at  Hamsterley 
to  the  association,  we  have  the  following  note  : — 
"  Brethren,  we  recommend  to  your  assistance,  our  be- 
loved brethren  and  ministers,  William  Carr,  Michael 
"Wharton,  and  Samuel  Nicholls."*  As  Mr.  Nicholls 
died  in' 1731,  this  letter  must  have  been  written  in  one 

*  The  names  appended  to  this  letter  are  the  following :  Henry 
Angas,  Henry  Atkinson,  Cuth.  "Ward,  John  "Welford,  Ralph 
Gibson,  Joseph  March,  Michael  Ward,  John  Hall,  Joseph  Ox- 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  151 

of  the  years  intervening  between  1727  and  that  year. 

1733. — Mr.  Braithwaite  had  continued  pastor  of  the 
church  at  Bridlington,  since  1713,  when  he  leftHawks- 
tieadhill ;  hut,  in  1733,  he  was  called  to  take  the  over- 
sight of  the  church  in  Devonshire-square,  London. 
While  Mr.  B.  was  at  Bridlington,  he  was  eminently 
laborious  and  successful.  He  extended  his  labours  to 
North-Burton,  and  a  considerable  part  of  the  church 
resided  at  Baintoa,  a  village  six  miles  from1  Driffield, 
and  about  eighteen  from  Bridlington.  In  a  variety  of 
old  documents,  the  church  is  repeatedly  termed,  the 
church  of  Bridlington  and  Bainton.  The  meeting- 
house was  enlarged  to.  its  present  dimensions,  during 
the  pastorate  of  Mr.  B. ;  and  the  foundation  of  a  church, 
in  Hull,  was  laid,  by  his  baptizing  several  individuals 
from  jihat  town.  Sixty-two  persons  are  said  to  have 
been  added  to  the  church,  during  his  ministry. 

The  reason  of  Mr.  Braithwaite's  leaving  Brid- 
lington is  worthy  of  notice,  and  discovers  the  opera- 
atibn  of  those  causes  which  have  been  at  work  since 
the  death  of  Abel  by  his  brother  Cain;  and  "where- 
fore slew  he  him  ?"  says  the  Apostle,  "  Because 
his  own  works  were  evil  and  his  brother's  righte- 

lah,  and  Joseph  Teasdale.  The  above  Henry  Atkinson,  with  his 
wife,  Anne,  sister  to  Mr.  Michael  Garthorn,  New  Kow,  were 
baptized  5th  Dec.,  1716.  Their  descendants  still  occupy  useful 
places  in  several  of  the  churches  in  the  North  of  England.  They 
had  two  sons  and  two  daughters.  John,  the  eldest  son,  was  father 
of  Mr.  Michael  Atkinson,  Smelt  House.  Their  youngest,  Michael, 
father  of  Mr.  Michael  Atkinson,  of  Newcastle,  and  Mrs.  Dodds, 
of  Bedburn.  Their  daughter  Jane,  was  married  to  Ingram  Chap- 
man ;  and  Alice,  the  second,  to  "Win.  Stobbs,  of  Billy  Row."  John 
Welford  was  the  son  of  William  Welford,  the  first  of  that  name  in 
the  church.  His  nephew  William,  of  Cayslee,  died  in  1825.  Jos. 
Teasdale  was  probably  brother  to  Jacob  Teasdale,  who  married 
Alice,  sister  of  Mr.  M.  Garthorn,  of  New  Eow:  and  they  were 
both  sons,  probably,  of  Nicholas  Teasdale,  already  alluded  to. 


152  HISTOEY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

ous."  In  1733,  Mr.  B.  published  a  pamphlet,  bear- 
ing the  following  title :— "  The  Nation's  Reproach  and 
the  Church's  Grief;  or,  a  serious  needful  word  of  ad- 
vice to  those  who  needlessly  frequent  Taverns  and 
Public  Houses,  and  often  spend  their  evenings  there." 
As  this  interfered  with  the  inclination,  and  touched  the 
consciences,  of  some  of  his  hearers,  and  perhaps  mem- 
bers, they  viewing  him  as  making  himself  busy  with 
them,  thenceforth  seem  to  have  manifested  towards 
him  the  bitterest  rancour,  and  keenest  opposition. 
Mr.  B.  finding  himself  uncomfortable,  after  labouring 
assiduously  among  them  for  twenty  years,  left  them 
and  went  to  London,  where  he  finished  his  benevolent 
and  useful  course  in  1748.  His  memory  is  still  dear  to 
Hawksheadhill,  to  Bridlington,  and  to  history,  while, 
that  of  his  bacchanalian  opponents  has  long  since 
perished.  "  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed  ;  but 
the  name  of  the  wicked  shall  rot." 

1734. — Mr.  Samuel  Blenkinsop  who  went  from  Ham- 
sterley  to  Broughton,  according  to  request,  in  1719, 
died  in  1734.  From  an  old  manuscript,  it  appears  he 
had  laboured  among  the  people  at  Broughton  more  or 
less  from  1715  to  1734.  He  had,  therefore,  been  a  dili- 
gent labourer  in  Broughton  and  Oulton  for  twenty-nine 
years.  He  was  buried  in  the  chapel-yard,  3rd  May, 

1734,  aged  63  years.    He  was  probably  the  son  of 
Mr.    Robert  Blenkinsop,  who  was  assistant  to  Mr. 
Ward,  and  is  also  said,  in  the  account  of  the  church 
at  Hawksheadhill,  to  be  "the  minister  of  Great  Brough- 
ton, in  Cumberland."    Mr.  Blenkinsop  was  succeeded 
by  Mr.  Ralph  Ruston  from  Bridlington. 

1735— 1737.— The   church  at  Bridlington,  after, the. 
departure  of  Mr.  Braithwaite,  was  two  years  without  a 
pastor.  It  is  probable  Mr.  R.  Ruston  had  ministered  to 
that  church  till  his  removal  to  Broughton,  and,  that  in 

1735,  Mr.  Machin,  a  member  of  the  church  at  Lime-; 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        153 

house,  London,  then  under  the  care  of  Mr.  D.  Bees, 
came  to  Bridlington,  on  probation.  His  ministry  ap- 
pears to  have  been  very  acceptable ;  for  he  was  unani- 
mously chosen  to  the  pastorate,  and  ordained  by  Mr. 
Braithwaite,  the  former  pastor,  and  Messrs.  John 
Sedgefield,  of  Tottlebank,  and  Alvery  Jackson,  of 
Barnoldswick. 

1738— 1739.— We  have  no  notice  of  Mr.  Huston's 
ordination  at  Broughton,  but  it  probably  took  place  about 
this  time.  "We  are  certain,  however,  that  he  was  now 
assisted  by  two  young  brethren  in  the  church,  if  not 
more.  These  were  Mr.  Henry  Palmer  and  Mr.  Isaac 
Garner.  The  former  was  connected  with  a  respectable 
family  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Broughton,  and  he  is 
said  to  have  studied  at  one  of  the  Scotch  Universities. 
The  other  was  connected  with  a  family,  who  seem  to 
have  been  located,  for  some  generations  at  least,  in  the 
western  district  of  Cumberland.  His  grandfather,  John 
Garner,  was  a  minister,  as  appears  from  his  epitaph, 
found  near  "Whitehaven ;  but  to  what  denomination  he 
belonged,  we  are  not  informed.  As,  however,  he  is 
said  to  have  preached  without  charge  to  the  church, 
over  which  he  was  placed;  and,  as  many  of  the  Bap- 
tists, at  that  time,  from  the  smallness  of  the  churches, 
were  necessitated  to  do  this ;  so,  it  is  probable,  that  he 
was  a  Baptist  minister;  perhaps  of  Egremont,  near 
Whitehaven,  where  his  remains  'lie.  As  Oulton  and 
Broughton  were,  at  this  period,  united,  so  Mr.  Garner 
appears  to  have  assisted  Mr.  Huston  in  preaching  at  the 
former  more  distant  station.  In  some  letters,  at  present 
extant,  he  is,  indeed,  called  the  minister  of  Oulton;  pro- 
bly  either  from  having  his  residence  there,  or  preaching 
there  frequently.* 

*  Several  very  important  incidents  with  regard  to  religion,  were, 
about  this  time,  transpiring  in  Britain,  Germany,  and  America. 
In  England,  Messrs.  John  and  Charles  Wesley,  with  Mr.  George 


154  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

f  1740. — The  annual  meeting  was  held  at  Hamsterleyy 
in  the  year  1740.  In  the  letter  of  this  year,  there  is 
much  complaint  of  the  decrease  of  piety  and  of  numbers. 
Differences  between  the  ministers  and  the  people  pre- 
vailed, and,  as  a  result  of  this,  there  were  some  that 
abstained  from  the  ordinances  of  religion.  We  have 
had  frequent  complaints  of  this  kind,  in  the  association 
letters  of  by-gone  years,  and  too  frequently  in  later 
Itimes,  have  we  observed,  passing  before  us,  the  causes. 
!of  the  same  kind  of  complaint.  Times  of  decay  are 
much  more  frequent  than  times  of  revival,  and,  gene- 
rally speaking,  much  longer  in  continuance.  As,  in  the 
kingdom  of  nature,  the  fertile  season  produces,  not  only 
abundance  of  precious  grain,  but  also  a  superfluity  of 
noxious  weeds ;  so,  in  the  kingdom  of  grace,  a  number 
of  false  professors  often  obtrude  into  the  society,  of  the 
truly  godly.  The  sympathy,  caused  by  the  excitation 
of  a  revival,  in  combination  with  some  other, -perhaps 
more  hidden,  causes,  not  unfrequently  leads  to  this,  and 

Whitfield  and  Lady  Huntington,  had  laid  the  foundation  of  the 
Methodist  Societies.  The  Arminian,  or  Wesleyan,  from  the  two 
former;,  and  the  Calvinistic,  from  the  two  latter.  The  first  Me-, 
tjiodist  Society  was  formed  in  1739,  and  the  division  between 
Mr.  "Whitfield  and  the  Wesleys  took  place  in  1741.  In  Scotland, 
Mr.  Glass,  the  father  of  the  Glassites,  or  Scotch  independents, 
called  Sandemanians  in  England,  was  ejected  from  his  charge  at 
Tealing,  in  Forfarshire,  in  1728,  In  1732,  Mr.  Ebenezer  Erskine, 
and  three  other  ministers,  commenced  the  Secession  Church,  in 
Scotland.  In  Germany,  that  ancient  body,  the  Moravians,  became 
much  revived  under  Christian  David,  in  1720.  Through  him  they 
obtained  a  settlement  at  Hernhutt,  under  Count  Zinzendorff. 
Mr.  Wesley  was,  in  1 735,  much  benefited  by  their  missionaries, 
on  his  voyage  to  Georgia.  Since  that  time,  the  Moravians  have 
sent  missionaries  into  almost  all  parts  of  the  world.  In  America 
a  number  of  remarkable  revivals  had  taken  place  under  Dr.  Stod- 
darfc,  of  Northampton,  and  in  1733,  and  afterwards,  under  Presi- 
dent Edwards,  George  Whitfield,  and  others,  in  different  parts  of 
the  same  continent. 


IN  THE  WORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  155 

the  ^result  is,  when  the  heat  of  the  movement  is  evapo- 
rated, the  feelings  of  many  of  the  excited  will  fall  to 
their  former  level,  and  even,  perhaps,  beneath  it; 
''The  dog  returns  to  his  vomit  again,  and  the  sow  that 
was  washed  to  her  wallowing  in  the  mire."  The  con- 
sequence is,  the  peace  of  the  church  is  broken,  the  use- 
fulness of  ministers  is  suspended,  and  the  world  is 
stumbled;  The  remains  of  evil,  in  the  truly  pious, — 
usually  greatly  exaggerated  as  a  plausible;  excuse  for 
the  indolent  or  the  fallen — in  too  many  instances,  tend, 
so  far  kt  least}  to  augment  this;  and  thus  the  church, 
instead  of  being  "  a  well  spring  of  living  water — a 
field  that  the  Lord  hath  blessed,"— will,  at  least  for  a 
time,  prove  like  a  stagnant  and  corrupting  marsh, 
sending  out  a  deathful  pestilence  over  all  the  surround- 
ing region. 

1741.— It  again  fell  to  the  lot  of  Hamsterley  to  have 
the  association,  in  the  year  1741.  The  general  letter 
to  the  churches  is  not  preserved;  but  the  letter  from 
the  church  at  Broughton  is  so;  and,  as  it  refers  to  one; 
who,  for  nearly  twenty  years,  became  one  of  the  leading 
ministers  among  the  Baptists,  in  the  four  northern 
counties,  we  shall  give  an  extract  from  it.  It  is  said 
to  be  from,  "  The  poor  church  of  Christ  meeting  at 
Broughton  and  Oulton,"  and  its  concluding  paragraph 
runs,  thus: — "  "We  recommend  to  you  our  beloved 
brother^  Isaac  Garner,  whom  we  appoint  as  our  mes- 
senger to  you,  at  this  time,  and  who  will  give  to  you, 
such -further  account  of  the  present  state  of  our  church' 
as  may  be  proper  and  expedient;  and  shall,  we  hope;  to' 
his  power,  assist  you,  in  anything  that  may  tend  to  God's, 
glory,  and  the  present  and  future  well-being  of  the 
churches.  So  committing  you  all  to  God,  and  the  word 
of  His  grace>  we  rest,  subscribing  ourselves,  your  un- 
worthy brethren  in  the  faith  and  fellowship  of  the 
gospel." 


156  HISTOEY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUBOHES 

This  was  probably  the  first  time  that  Mr.  Garner  had 
seen  Hamsterley — his  future  habitation;  He  was  then 
in  his  24th  year,  in  all  the  bloom  arid  vigour  of  early 
manhood.  He  was  low  in  stature,  but  of  a  ruddy  com- 
plexion, and  of  an  interesting  and  intelligent  appear- 
ance. Whether  or  no  he  had  come  by  the  special  invi- 
tation of  the  church  at  Hamsterley,  we  are  not  told; 
but  it  is  not  unlikely,  as  their  ministers  were  then 
getting  very  old  and  infirm,  and  one  of  them,  the  resi- 
dent in  Hamsterley,  or  neighbourhood,  Mr.  Gabriel 
Fell,  was  either  lately  dead,  or  in  a  dying  condition, 
as  he  finished  his  course  that  same  year.  Be  this,  how- 
ever, as  it  might,  the  fact  is  certain,  that  Mr.  Garner 
very  soon  after  this  event,  became  assistant  minister  of 
the  united  church  of  Rowley  and  Hamsterley,  and  took 
up  his  stated  residence  in  the  latter  place.  His 
labours,  henceforward,  included  not  only  the  place  of 
his  abode,  but  were  extended  to  Rowley,  Hindley, 
Cotherstone,  Newbiggin,  Middleton,  and  Teesdale, 
in  Durham;  also  to  Juniper -Dye -House,  Styford* 
Prudhoe,  Horsley,  Stamfordham,  &c.,  in  Northumber- 
land :  at  some  of  these  places,  statedly,  at  others  only 
occasionally. 

Respecting  the  death  of  Mr.  Fell,  Mr.  Garner  gives 
us  the  following  brief  account: — "By  information,  I 
understand,  that  Gabriel  Fell  grew  much,  both  in  gifts 
and  grace,  as  he  advanced  near  the  end  of  his  journey ; 
bearing  all  his  afflictions  with  patience  and  courage, 
willing  to  spend  and  be  spent  in  the  wort  of  the  gospel ; 
enduring  much  opposition  and  trouble  from  his  family  : 
yet,  when  death  drew  near,  he  said  to  one  standing  by, 
'  Jesus  Christ  hath  done  all  in  love,'  and,  to  all  appear- 
ance, then  rejoiced  in  hope  of  the  glory  of  God.  Blessed 
Jesus !"  adds,  Mr.  Garner, "  may  none  of  thy  ministers, 
who  have  preached  thee  in  their  life,  be  without  thee  at 
their  death;  but  in  all  things,  let  all  thine,  be. more 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND. 

than  conquerors  through  thy  most  precious  blood ;  that 
we  who  remain,  and  are  yet  alive,  may  follow  those 
who  sleep  in  thee,  and  be  for  ever  with  the  Lord." 

1742.— On  the  16th  February,  1742,  Mr.  Henry  Pal- 
mer preached  a  funeral  sermon,  from  2  Samuel  xii.  23, 
for  an  infant  son  of  Joseph  and  Mary  Robinson,  of 
Oulton.  In  his  introduction  he  mentions,  the  child  was 
nearly  allied  to  us,  whose  heads  are  members  of  this 
church.*  s 

1743. — Mr.  Machin,  of  Bridliugton,  terminated  his 
brief  career  in  the  following  year,  1743,  27th  October. 
He  was  not  so  successful  as  some  of  his  predecessors, 
as  during  the  seven  or  eight  years  he  had  been  at  Brid- 
lington,  he  added  six  only  to  the  church  there.  He  was 
probably  a  person  of  delicate  constitution  and  reserved 
manners.  He  is  said  to  have  published  two  sermons : 
The  Hope  of  the  Tempted,  from  Hebrews  iv.  14, 15  ; 
and  David's  Choice,  or,  the  Sense  of  the  Godly  in 
every  age,  from  2  Samuel  xxiv.  14. 

1744 — 1745. — We  have  no  account  of  the  annual 
meeting  for  these  two  years,  and  nothing  remarkable 
connected  with  our  narrative ;  except  that  the  civil  and 
religious  liberties  of  the  country  were  endangered  by 
the  Rebellion  begun  in  Scotland,  and  carried  into  the 
heart  of  England,  by  Charles  Edward,  the  son  of  the 

*  The  Robinsons  were  a  highly  respectable  family  at  Oulton, 
&c.,  in  Cumberland.  They,  together  with  the  Fletchers,  Pal- 
mers, &c.,  were  the  principal  supporters  of  the  Baptist  cause  at 
Broughton  and  Oulton,  at  this  period,  and  long  afterwards.  Mr. 
Henry  Palmer  was  the  son  of  Henry  and  Dorothy  Palmer.  Mrs. 
Palmer  was  of  the  Normans,  of  Crossdale,  in  Ennerdale,  a  family 
very  noted  in  those  parts  in  their  day;  their  family  mansion  being 
built  in  a  very  superior  style.  They  were  both  very  pious— their 
remaining  letters  breathing  a  very  fervent  and  exalted  piety.  As 
intimated  in  the  text,  the  above  families  were,  for  many  years, 
closely  connected  by  marriage,  as  also  with  some  other  Baptist 
families  in  the  north, 

0 


! 


158  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Pretender.    In  the  battle  of  Preston-Pans,  good  Colonel 
Gardiner  lost  his  life,  21st  September,  1745. 
/      1746.— On  the  16th  of  April;  1746,  was  fought  the 
/  memorable  battle  of  Culloden,  by  which  the  fate  of  the 
Stuarts  and  Popery  became,  we  hope,  for  ever  decided ; 
and. the  family  of  Brunswick  firmly  seated  on  the  throne 
of  Britain,  to  the  high  satisfaction  of  all  the  Dissenters. 
(  Mr.  Michael  "Wharton,  of  the  united  church  of  Row- 

ley and  Hamsterley,  died  this  year.  He  was  converted 
to  God,  and  became  connected  with  the  church  at 
Bitchburn,  before  1710.  He  had,  by  some  means,  be- 
come alarmed  on  account  of  his  sins,  and  being  educa- 
ted in  the  National  Church,  he  eagerly  sought  the 
knowledge  of  salvation  through  its  ministry.  In  the 
pursuit,  he  went  to  different  places  of  worship,,  but 
could  not  find  it,  till  a  volume  of  John  Bunyan's  was 
put  into  his  hand,  which  he  perused  with  intense  in- 
terest. On  returning  it>  he  inquired  if  there  were  any 
that  preached  the  same  doctrines  taught  in  that  book. 
He  was  told  there  were ;  and  being  conducted  to  Bitch- 
burn,  he  there  heard  that  which  led  him  to  solid  peace. 
He  afterwards  joined  the  church,  and,  was  called  to 
/  preach,  in  1 710. 

|  Mr.  Wharton  was  a  man  in  lowly  circumstances, 
!  but  an  assiduous  labourer  in  the  vineyard  of  his 
:  Heavenly  Master.  There  is  a  pleasing  anecdote  related 
of  him,  evincing  both  his  honesty  to  his  employer,  and 
his  desire  to  be  useful  to  his  fellow-creatures.  He  was 
employed  as  a  gardener,  we  are  told,  traditionally,  by 
Lord  Ravensworth,  the  descendant  of  Sir  Thomas  Lid- 
dell,  already  mentioned.  "While  in  this  situation,  his 
Lordship  had  heard,  by  some  means,  that  he  left  his 
•work  sooner  on  a  Saturday  afternoon  than  was  common 
with  persons  in  the  same  line  of  employment.  Michael 
was,  in  consequence,  called  before  his  Lordship,  to  give 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        159 

an  account  of  the  matter.  He  acknowledged,  most 
frankly,  that  what  was  alleged  against  him  was,  in  the 
main,  correct ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  assured  his  Lord- 
ship, that  he  acted  towards  him  on  the  principle  of  the 
most  rigid  integrity ;  for  the  amount  of  time,  apparently 
abstracted  from  his  Lordship's  service  on  the  Saturday, 
was  amply  repaid  by  hours  added,  on  other  days,  in  the 
course  of  the  week.  His  Lordship  enquired  how  he 
employed  himself  on  the  Saturdays.  Michael  modestly 
replied,  that  there  were  some  plain  people,  who  were 
Dissenters,  living  at  a  considerable  distance,  and  who, 
at  present,  having  no  minister  of  their  own,  had  solicit- 
ed his  poor  services  for  some  time,  till  they  could  get 
better.  He  accordingly  went,  and  instructed  them  in 
the  best  way  he  could.  His  Lordship  was  so  pleased 
with  this  unassuming  and  artless  apology,  that  he  de- 
sired him  to  continue  to  do  as  he  had  done,  on  the 
Saturdays,  during  the  time  he  should  continue  in  his 
employment. 

0 !  how  superior  is  this  play  of  kindly  feeling  between 
a  noble  and  a  peasant,  to  a  cold,  compulsory  uniformity 
in  religious  worship.  Had  Lord  Ravensworth  had  the 
power  to  compel  Michael  Wharton  to  listen  to  prayers 
in  the  place  where  he  himself  professed  to  worship, 
there  might  have  been  the  appearance  of  union,  but 
none  -of  the  reality.  How  could  there  be  so  ?  In  the 
one  case,  we  should  have  had,  either  the  ignorant  de- 
votee, or  the  constrained  hypocrite ;  and,  in  the  other, 
we  should  have  had  the  cold-hearted  and  ruthless 
tyrant.  But  in  the  above  instance  of  calm,  dispassion- 
ate enquiry,  and  straight  forward,  yet  unassuming  reply, 
whilst  wanting  uniformity,  we  have  the  presence  of 
the  best  description  of  union,  the  union  of  the  heart. 
Lord  Ravensworth  respected  Michael  "Wharton,  and 
Michael  Wharton  loved  Lord  Ravensworth.  0 !  when 
will  men  of  every  class  learn  to  bow  their  hearts  to 

o  2 


160  HISTORY  OF  THE   BAFriST  CHURCHES 

their  Maker's  law — the  law  of  love — in  order  to  promote 
their  best  interests,  both  in  this  world  and  that  which 
is  to  come  ?  • 

Mr.  "Wharton,  though  filling  a  humble  secular  station 
only  in  society,  had  considerable  mental  endowments, 
ready  utterance,  and  a  kindly  disposition.  This  ap- 
pears from  the  following  remarks  of  Mr.  Garner's : — 
"  After  he  was  added  to  the  church,  he  was  supposed  to 
have  a  gift  to  profit  others,  and  the  first  time  he  exercised 
it,  on  trial,  he  appeared  so  well  qualified  for  the  work  of 
the  ministry,  that  the  church  concluded,  that  even  then, 
he  might  officiate  publicly."  Mr.  Garner  adds,  "  that 
he  was  a  man  of  grave  countenance,  quick  natural 
parts,  strong  retaining  memory,  deep  judgment,  and 
clear  in  the  doctrines  of  grace.  He  was  a  Barnabas  in 
exhorting  and  comforting,  watering,  feeding,  and  build- 
ing up,  the  church  of  Christ." 

Such  was  the  capacity  of  Mr.  Wharton;  and  most  de- 
votedly and  perseveringly  did  he  use  that  capacity  for 
thirty-six  years,  in  his  beloved  Master's  service.  As 
his  life  was  Christ's,  so  doubtless,  his  death  was  gain. 
•''  They  that  turn  many  to  righteousness,  shall  shine  as1 
the  brightness  of  the  sun,  in  the  kingdom  of  their  Fa- 
ther, and  as  the  stars  for  ever  and  ever."  "  He  is 
gone,"  concludes  Mr.  Garner,  "  may  those  entered  into 
his  labours,  meet  him  before  the  Lord  of  the  vineyard, 
with  everlasting  joy !" 

.  1747. — The  annual  meeting  for  1747  took  place,  pro- 
bably, at  Hamsterley,  on  the  24th  and  25th  days  of 
June.  The  yearly  letter  from  the  association  is  lost, 
but  there  are  letters  from  the  churches  at  Hamsterley, 
"Whitehill  near  Walton,  north  of  Brampton,  Cumber- 
land, and  from  Hawksheadhill.  The  one  from  Ham- 
sterley intimates,  that,  after  a  long  time  of  barrenness, 
they  were  now  favoured  with  a  gracious  revival.  They 
allude>in  grateful  terms,  to  the  issue  of  the  late  rebellion, 


IN  THE  N0BTH  OF  ENGLAND.  16L 

in  J745,  .and  .on  account  of  being  delivered  from  the  fear 
of  being  placed  under  a  popish  and  tyrannical  govern- 
ment, The  messengers  they  seat  were  their  elders  and 
pastors,  Messrs.  Carr  and  Garner,  together  with  Messrs. 
Michael  Garthpjrn,  jand  Jonathan  Angus.  From  this  we 
see  that,  notwithstanding  the  very  advanced  age  of  Mr. 
Carr,  he  Wjas  still  ahle  to  attend  the  association,  the 
year  before  he  died. 

.174B.' — The  mext  annual  meeting  was  held  at  Hawks- 
headhill,  in  1748.  The  association  letter  is  preserved. 
There  is,  however,  nothing  striking  in  it.  It  chiefly 
calls  on  the  ^hHrches  to  attend  strictly  to  the  duties  of 
selfrexamination  and  prayer,  in  order  to  ascertain  the 
cause  pf  their  present  low  ,epndition. 

This  year  Mr.  Carr  finished  his  long  and  useful  ca- 
reer. At  what  time  pf  the  -year  he  .did  so,  we  are  not 
informed.  If,  seems,  however,  prohable  it  was  in  the 
middle  or  latter  part  of  it. 

Tradition  tells  tis  that  his  remains  were  deposited 
under  the  table-pew  -of  the  old  meeting-house,  Cold 
Bowley.  His  remains  certainly  could  not  have  been, 
laid  in  a  more  appropriate  situation  than  in  that  place 
of  worship,  which  he  himself  had  been  the  principal 
means  of  erecting.  It  is  a  pity  that  there  is  no  tablet 
to  commemorate  the  circumstance.* 

*  $jur.  Carr  had  one  son  earned  Joseph,  the  father  of  the  learned 
Dr.  John  Carr.,  :Qie  .translator  of  Jlueiatu  The  Dr.  had  two  bro- 
thers ;  one  named  William,  -whose  descendants  resided  at  Gates- 
head  :  the  other  was  a  half  brother,  and  curate  of  Alston, 
.to  whose  son,  a  mercer  in  London,  the  Dr.  left  his  property, 
'"having  no  issue  of  his  own.  This  property  had  belonged  to  his 
an.cestoss.,  but  had  been  hither  sold  or  mortgaged,  and  the  Dr. 
tad  recovered  -it.  He  was  strongly  attached  to  his  native  place, 
and  spent  the  latter  part  of  his  life  between  it  and  Hertford,  where 
:he  had  been  master  of  the  grammar  school.  So  far  as  we  know, 
•he  never  became  a  Baptist,  but  retained  so  much  of  dissenting 
principle  as  preventing  him  from  becoming  a  minister  in  the  Es.- 

o3 


162  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST -"CHURCHES 

Mr.  Carr  had  laboured  for  the  benefit  of  the  church, 
for  at  least  half  a  century.  His  precise  age,  the  writer 
has  never,  as  yet,  been  able  to  ascertain;  but,  it  is  pro- 
bable, that  he  was  near,  if  not  beyond,  his  eightieth 
year.  He  appears,  however,  to  have  possessed  a  green 
old  age,  from  the  circumstance  already  mentioned,; of 
his  being  present  at  the  association  the  year  before  he 
died,  having  to  travel  to  it  all  the  way  from  Muggles- 
"wick,  his  usual  residence,  where  he  had  a  small  estate, 
called  Low  Muggleswick. 

Mr.  Garner,  his  immediate  successor,  gives  us  his 
character,  and  an  account  of  his  closing  scene,  in  the 
following  terms: — "He  had  travelled,  and  preached 
much  abroad,  in  his  youthful  days.  He  was  of  an 
affable  and  free  disposition ;  kind  to  the  poor ;  a  lover 
of  souls ;  an  affected  (impressed)  and  an  affecting  (im- 
pressive) preacher,  and  an  instrument  in  the  conver- 
sion of  many  sinners.  He  was  also  zealous  for  the 
glory  of  God,  and  the  church's  welfare.  Near  his 
dissolution  his  memory  failed  much,  and  all  his  natural 
powers  gradually  weakened;  yet  I  have  heard  him  ex- 
press his  faith,  love,  and  joy  in  God,  and  his  earnest 
desire,  were  it  his  Lord's  will,  that  he  might  be  dis- 
solved, and  go  to  the  dear  Lord  Jesus.  His  last  words 

tablishment.  His  Latin  epitaph  for  his  wife,  breathes  the  spirit 
of  piety.  Mr.  Joseph  Carr,  besides  these  three  sons ,  had  a  daughter 
who  married  Mr.  John  Angus,  who,  on  his  father  in  law's  death, 
succeeded  to  the  Farm  of  Horselehope.  Mr.  John  Angus  was  the 
second  son  of  Mr.  William"ftngus,  of  Summerfield,  the  eldest  son 
of  Joseph  Angus,  of  Dotland,  whose  paternal  and  maternal  grand- 
sires  were  Henry  Angus,  of  Raw  House,  and  Henry  Blacket,  of 
Bitchbarn ;  so  that  in  the  descendants  of  Mr.  John  Angus,  of 
Horselehope,  we  have  the  union  of  descent  from  three  of  the  most 
ancient  families  of  the  Baptists,  in  the  North  of  England ;  these  de- 
scendants are  Mr.  Joseph  Angus,  of  Horselehope;  Mrs.  Errington> 
of  Cold  Rowley ;  Mrs.  Gray ;  Mrs.  John  Angus,  of  Wolsingham ; 
Mrs.  Tamar  Surtees,  of  Horselehope  Row,  and  Mrs.  Jane  Gibson. 


'IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  163 

to  me,  were  words  which  I  earnestly  pray  the  great  God 
to  accomplish  in  his  own  due  time :  '  The  Lord  make 
thee  faithful  unto  death,  and  give  thee  a  crown  of  life.' 
Even  so,  Lord  Jesus,  grant  this,  for  thy  name  sake,  to 
me,  thy  unworthy  servant ! — Isaac  Garner." 

Mr.  Mitchel,  of  Bridlington,  died  also  this  year.  He 
had  supplied  the  pulpit  from  the  death  of  Mr.  Richard 
Machin,  in  1743.  He  was  ordained  in  1746;  but  heing 
of  a  weakly  constitution,  he  retired  to  Rawden,  near 
Bradford,  his  native  village,  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
which  place  he  had  heen  originally  a  member.  He 
had  baptized  eleven  persons..- 


164  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 


CHAPTER  IIL 

Mr,  Garner. — Mr.  C.  Hall. — Neweastle.-^Assofliatipns, — Yprk- 
shire  churches. — David  Fernie. — Hamsterley. — High  and  Jx>w' 
Calvinism. — Result  of  dispute, — Marion. — Midlam.— Jpsepb 
Robson.. — Mr.  Robert  Hall. — Experience. — Dispute  with  Mr. 
Fernie. — Baptism.— Messrs.  Rutherford  and  Pe.den. — Messrs, 
C.  and  R.  Hall. — Newcastle. — Messrs.  Fernie,  Rutherford, 
Peden  and  Bowser. — Associations. — Cuthbert  Crawford.— Mi- 
chael Wharton,  Junior. — Bridlington. — Death  of  Mr.  Isaac 
Garner. — Family. —  Character. — Success. — Joshua  Garner.— 
Bridlington. — Newcastle  letter  to  Hexham. — Tottlebank. — 
Scotch  Baptists. — Mr.  Fernie's  visit  to  them.— Their  letter,  and 
his  reply.— Bridlington. — Mr.  J.  Garner  — Mr.  Fernie's  letter. 
— Newcastle. — Mr.  Allen. 

1748.* — On  the  demise  of  Mr.  Carr,  Mr.  Garner 
became  the  pastor  of  the  church  meeting  at  Ham- 
sterley, Rowley,  and  Hindley.  The  account  he  gives 
of  himself  is  as  follows :  "  In  this  year — probably 
1741 — I  came  to  Hamsterley,  being  then  a  member 
of  the  church  of  Christ  meeting  at  Broughton  and 
Oulton,  in  Cumberland,  having  liberty  from  the  said 
church  to  preach  a  year  at  Stamfordham,  in  Northum- 
berland :  and  the  church  here,  considering  their  minis- 

•  This  year  terminated  the  course  of  that  sweet  singer  of  Israel, 
Dr.  Isaac  Watts.  He  died,  November  25,  aged  77.  His  friend, 
and  great  compeer  in  theology  and  British  psalmody,  Dr.  Dodd- 
ridge,  survived  him  three  years,  and  died  at  Lisbon,  October  21, 
1751,  in  the  50th  year  of  his  age.  As  to  our  own  minstrels  in 
psalmody,  Dr.  Samuel  Stennet  had  now  begun  his  career,  and  died 
25th  August,  1795:  Mr.  Beddome  was  contemporary  with  Dr. 
Stennet,  and  died  the  same  year,  September  3rd,  aged  79.  On  the 
29th  March,  1795,  Dr.  Steadman  received  Miss  Steele,  as  a -mem- 
ber of  the  church  at  Broughton,  Hampshire. 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  165 

ters  were  aged,  and  not  likely  to  be  long  with  them, 
desired  mine  assistance,  for  a  certain  time;  the  which 
was  consented  to,  both  by  the  church  in  Cumber- 
land and  myself.  Afterwards,  I  was  ordained  by 
the  imposition  of  hands,  at  a  general  meeting,  at 
Hamsterley ;  but  did  not  receive  the  particular  charge 
of  this,  or  any  other  congregation.  Then,  after  Mr. 
Carr's  death,  by  fasting  and  prayer,  I  was  chosen  to 
the  Lord's  work,  in  his  vineyard  here.  But; Oh!  how 
insufficient  am  I  for  it !  Lord  how  little  have  I  done 
for  thee!  Give  me  strength  and  wisdom  to  feed  thy 
flock,  and  watch  over  them  in  love!  Bless  me  with, 
and  among  them,  and  when  we  give  up  our  account, 
may  it  be  with  joy,  and  not  with  griefe." 

"We  are  then  presented,  by  Mr.  Garner,  with  the  letter, 
of  his  dismission  from  the  church  at  Broughton  and 
Oulton.  It  is  directed,  "to  the  church  in  Derwent- 
water."  "Beloved  in  the  Lord, — Being  met  together  at 
our  seventh  day  meeting,  (Saturday  night  before  the 
ordinance,)  we  unexpectedly  received  yours,  by  your 
messenger  and  brother, — William  Angus,  concerning 
our  member  (viz.)  Brother  Isaac  Garner ;  the  which 
was,  in  some  measure,  taken  into  consideration  by  us. 
But,  first  of  all,  we  cannot  but  really  sympathize  with 
you  in  the  great  loss  you  are  likely  to  sustain,  at  the 
departure  of  our  dear  and  well-beloved  brother,  and 
your  pastor,  "William  Carr,  who  hath  long  laboured 
amongst  you,  and  been  over  you  in  the  Lord,  and  not 
only  so,  but  who  had  on  him  the  care  of  other  churches, 
and  is  to  be  received  home,  as  a  shock  of  corn  fully 
ripe  in  its  season.- — -And  now,  brethren,  as  you  have, 
once  and  again,  shewed  to  us  your  desire,  in  releasing 
Brother  Garner,  that  he  may  be  a  member  wholly  in 
in  communion  with  you,  and  solely  at  your  disposal,  as 
the  Lord  may  direct  you,  so  we  trust,  that  what  we  now 
do,  we  do  it  heartily,  as  unto  the  Lord,  having  no  other 


166  HISTOEY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUBCHE3 

view  than  the  glory  of  God,  and  good  of  souls.  So  we 
give  and  bequeath  him  unto  you,  in  the  name  of  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  the  head  of  his  church.  But 
oh,  that  the  mantle  of  your  Elijah  might  but  fall  on 
Elisha!  How  would  this  contribute  to  your  joy,  &c., 
and  to  our  satisfaction !" 

In  the  end  of  this  letter,  gratitude  is  expressed,  by  the 
people  of  Broughton,  for  a  brother  sent  to  assist  them 
in  the  time  of  need.  Their  pastor,  Mr.  Ruston,  was 
now  getting  very  infirm,  and  needed  help.  One  of  the 
members  of  the  church  at  Harnsterley,  Mr.  Christopher 
Hall,  had  been  sent  by  that  church,  to  assist  the  people 
at  Broughton,  in  their  present  exigency.  A  request  is 
also  made,  that  whatever  assistance  they  might  need,  in 
future,  may  be  granted. 

This  letter  is  dated  the  18th  of  the  3rd  month,  May, 
1748,  and  as  Mr.  Carr  is  not  referred  to  as  dead,  but 
dying,  so  his  death  must  have  taken  place  some  time 
after  this,  in  the  same  year.  Mr.  Garner's  pastorate 
over  the  church  at  Hamsterley,  &c.,  commenced  this 
year ;  the  precise  period  is  no  where  specified. 

The  individual  mentioned  above,  Mr.  C.  Hall,  was  a 
young  man  at  this  time,  about  twenty-four  years  of  age, 
being  born  in  1724.  His  father,  whose  name  was  also 
Christopher,  was  a  reputable  farmer,  at  a  village  called 
Black  Heddon,  upwards  of  twelve  miles  north-west  of 
Neweastle-on-Tyne.  The  ancestors  of  the  family  had 
long  lived  on  the  same  farm.  He  was  the  eldest  son  of 
his  father's  second  family.  His  father  died  when 
he  was  between  fifteen  and  sixteen  years  of  age,  and  he 
continued  with  his  mother  till  she  was  again  married. 
Sometime  previously  to  the  middle  of  the  year  1745, 
he  had  become  acquainted  with  Mr.  Garner,  in  his  jour- 
neys to  Stamfordham.  He  had  been  educated  a  Pres- 
byterian by  his  mother,  although  his  father  was  a 
churchman.  Mr.  Garner's  teaching  led  him  to  more 


IN  ^E  NOSTB  OF  ENGLAND.  167 


accurate  views  of  the  spiritual  nature  of  the  kingdom  of 
the  Saviour.  He  seems  not  to  have  had  sufficient 
strength  of  body  for  hard  labour;  and,  as  he  was  a 
piou&  young  man,  discovering  considerable  mental  ca- 
pacity, on  his  adopting  Baptist  sentiments,  Mr.  Garner 
gave  him  an  invitation  to  live  with  him  for  some  time, 
at  Hamsterley,  that  he  might  afford  him  some  instruc- 
tion for  future  usefulness.*  Mr:  Hall  complied,  and  in 
August  that  year,  he  came  to  Hamsterley,  andiwas  bap- 
tized1, by  Mr.  Garner,  in  September  following,  and  added 
to  the  church  in  that  village.  During  the  same  month 
he  was  called  to  exercise  his  gifts  in  preaching  before 
the  church,  and  doing  this  to  their  satisfaction,  he  was 
designated  to  preach  publicly  where  the  church  might 
send  him.  For  some  time  he  assisted  Mr.  Garner,  by 
preaching  at  the  house  of  Mr.  William  Angus,  at  the 
Juniper-Dye*House,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Hexham; 
also  at  Stamfordham,  where  a  chapel  had  been  lately 
built;  Styford,  &c.  It  was  then  that  he  became  ac- 
quainted with  his  future  wife,  Catherine,  sister  of  Mr. 
Angus,  whom  he  married,  in  1747,  and  removed 
to  Wigton,  in  Cumberland,  to  assist  Mr.  Euston,  of 
Broughton,  who  was  become  very  infirm.  This  he 
did  chiefly  at  Oulton,  which  lay  only  a  short  distance 
from  "Wigton,  though  he  preached  occasionally  both  at 
Broughton  and  Whitehill.  Such  were  the  condition 

*  The  following  lines  sent  by  Mr.  Hall,  in  reply  to  Mr.  Gar- 
ner, will  show  the  state  of  his  mind  at  this  time:  "I  hope  the 
Lord  is  'Calling  me  to  he  a  fellow-labourer  with  you  in  Christ,  and 
for  his  glory.  Oh  that  the  Lord  may  go  forth  with  us^  and  call 
home  many  souls  that  are  strangers  to  themselves  and  to  Christ. 
Oh  for  clearer  discoveries  of  Him,  both  as  to  his  person  and  the 
relation  that  he  stands  in  to  his  people.  Oh  that  we  may  experi- 
ence more  of  the  glorious  effects  of  the  blessed  union  that  there  is 
between  Christ  and  his  people.  Bless  the  Lord,  with  me,  that  all 
my  delight  is  in  prayer,  meditating,  and  speaking  of  Christ, 
and  things  of  Christ."  This  letter  is  dated  27th  July,  1  745. 


168  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

and  employment  of  Mr.  Hall,  when  Mr.  Garner,  on 
the  death  of  Mr.  Carr,  became  pastor  of  the  church  at 
Hamsterley. 

1749. — The  association  in  1749  held  its  meeting  at 
Broughton,  Cumberland ;  and  in  the  end  of  this  year, 
17th  December,  a  letter  was  sent  by  a  Mr.  Kendall,  of 
Gateshead,  to  the  church  at  Hamsterley,  relative  to  the 
condition  of  the  church  at  Tuthill-stairs,  Newcastle, 
twenty-nine  years  after  the  purchase  of  the  premises 
there.  It  would  appear,  that  a  Mr.  Weir  had  been,  for 
some  time,  the  pious,  faithful,  popular,  and  successful 
minister  of  the  place ;  but  had  now  gone.  A  Mr.  Durance 
had  become,  in  consequence,  the  Diotrephes  of  the  church ; 
but  they  had,  at  length,  got  rid  of  him.  Mr.  Kendall  im- 
plores, in  the  following  language,  the  church  at  Ham- 
sterley to  assist  their  sister  church  in  the  time  of  its  need : 
"  Dearly  beloved,— Out  of  a  sincere  love  and  hearty  desire  to 
promote  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  the  promulgating  the  ever-bless- 
ed gospel,  your  worthless  brother  hath  found  in  his  heart  to  give 
you  the  following  intimation  of  the  poor,  reduced,  and  distressed 
church  of  Christ,  usually  meeting  at  Tuthill-stairs. 

You  know,  my  beloved  brethren,  the  unwearied  pains,  that 
faithful  servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  Mr.  Weir,  took  in  visiting,  ex- 
horting, and  reclaiming  the  few  poor,  scattered  sheep,  and  to 
re-establish  them  on  their  own  and  old  foundation.  But  the  time 
of  building  the  Lord's  house  was  not  then  come.  It  would  affect 
one's  heart  to  see  what  floekings  there  was  to  his  ministry,  and  to 
hear  so  many  enquiring  after  him,  and  expressing  of  so  much  love 
and  liking  to  his  ministry.  But  now,  my  beloved  friends,  the 
Lord,  in  his  providence,  hath  removed  Mr.  Durance,  the  great 
opposer  of  the  gospel,  from  the  place,  and  there  seems  to  be  an 
opportunity  of  reviving  and  restoring  the  gospel  of  Jesus  in  this 
place;  and  I. am  fully  persuaded,  considering  the  fewness  of  the 
people  that  are  left,  most  of  whom  are  women,  it  is  your  incum- 
bent duty  to  make  it  your  business  as  a  neighbouring  and  sister 
church,  as  an  evidence  that  you  have  the  glory  of  God  and  the 
good  of  his  people  at  heart,  to  come,  two  or  three  of  you,  with  the 
prayers  of  the  church,  and  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  Jesus,  to  make 
a  solemn  demand  of  the  rights  and  properties  of  the  church ;  or  at 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND. 

1750.— In  the  year  1750,  the  annual  meeting-- was 
held  at  Ham  sterley,  and  also  in  1751 ;  and  at  Brough- 
ton,  in  1752.  The  letters  dwell  on  the  usual  topics, 
and  contain  nothing  of  historical  interest.  The. church 
at  Bridlington,  from  the  removal  of  Mr.  Mitchel,  in 
1748,  was  without  a  pastor  till  1752,  when  Mr.-.: John 
Oulton  settled  with  them.*  : '  ;• 

1752.— At  this  period,  Mr.  Garner  obtained  another 
assistant  in  the  ministry.  A  North  Briton,;  of  the 
name  of  David  Fernie,  had  become  a  member  of  .the 
:  church, — was  baptised  by  Mr.  Garner,  sometime  about 
1750^8  his  name  first  appears  that  year,  in  the  associ- 
atfoitt^etter  of  the  church,  as  co-pastor  with  Mr.  Garner. 
Of  his  parentage,  or  the  part  in  Scotland  whence  he 
came,  we  know  nothing,  though  it  is  probable  he  came 
from  Fifeshire.  He  was  a  man  in  middle  age,  mighty 
in  the  Scriptures,  of  very  acute  intellect,  and  ready  re- 
collection. He  unhappily  imbibed  high  Calvinistic 
notions,  and  infused  the  same  doctrines  into  the  minds 
of  a  considerable  number  of  the  members  of  the  church, 
and  among  others,  into  the  mind  of  Mr.  C.  Hall. 
Hitherto,  generally  speaking,  the  church  and  the  minis- 
ters had  held  and  preached  the  views  of  Calvinism,  as 

least,  to  enquire  at  Mr.  West,  what  he  intends  to  do  respecting 
the  gospel  ministry  here ;  but,  I  shall  not  direct,  only  advise,  &c., 
Your  Christian  friend  and  servant, 

JAS.  KENDALL." 

,*  Some  of  the  most  eminent  churches  in  Yorkshire  came  into 
existence  at  this  time.  Gildersome,  iu  1749,  Mr.  John  Thomas, 
pastor;  Wainsgate,  in  1750,  Mr.  Richard  Smith,  pastor;  Steep- 
Lane,  had  preaching  from  1751;  Shipley,  Mr.  Gawkrodger,'  in 
1752 ;  Haworth,  the  same  year,  Mr.  James  Hartley.  Bradford, 
sprang  from  Haworth  and  Bawden.  It  began  in  the  village  of 
Maningham,  near  Bradford ;  Mr.  Crabtree,  from  Wainsgate,  be- 
came the  first  minister.  He  was  ordained  5th  Dec.,  1753.  He 
died  in  1811,  aged  91. 

P 


170  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

held  by  Bunyan.  Now,  the  eternal. justification,  adop- 
tion, sanctificatiou,  and  the  rest  of  the  supralapsarian 
ideas  of  Dr.  Crisp,  adopted  by  Dr.  Gill,  Brine,  John- 
son of  -Liverpool,  and  others,  crept  in,  and,  marred 
for  a  time,  the  peace  of  the  church,  and  its  usefulness  in 
the  world.  For  no  small  period  this  controversy,  pre- 
vailed ;  the  church  dividing  itself  into  two  parties,  "Mr. 
Garner  taking  the  lead  on  the  One  side,  and  Mr  .-Fernie 
on  the  other,  till  matters  caine  to  a  crisis,  and  the 
parties  mutually  withdraw  from  each  -other— each^party 
supposing  themselves  in  the  right— having  -great  :names 
to  adduce  in  support  of  each  side  of  the  argument.* 

"With  regard  to  the  precise  status  of  each  party,  we 
think  there  is  reason  to  believe,  'that  the  greater  part 
of  the  church  lying  between  the  Tyne  and  the  Wear, 
clung  to  Mr.  Garner;  but  still,  a  few,  in  each  place, 
sympathized -with  Mr.  Fefnie.  Among  the  most  distin- 
guished of  :those  who  held  with  the  latter,  were  Mr. 
Thomas  Blacket,  of  •Hamsterley,  who  for  some  years 

*  As  is  usual  in  such  cases,  a  very  considerable  degree  of  as- 
perity was  exhibited  on  this  occasion,  and  for  many  years  after- 
wards. The  strife  was,  however,  in  a  great  degree,  one  more  of 
words  than  things.  Both  parties  held' the  decrees  of  God;  bdth 
insisted  on  holiness  of  character  in  the  Christian ;  and  both  were 
composed  of  men,  in"  the  main,  of  pious  and  upright  name  <  in  so- 
ciety. With  regard  to  the  leading  parties,  Mr.  Garner  was^  so 
far  as  we  can  judge,  the  more  amiable  and  the  more  correct  in  his 
views^  'approaching  more  to  those  of  Mr.  Fuller  of  modern  times. 
Mr.  Fernie  appears  to  have  been,  perhaps,themore  able  andvigour- 
ous  of  the  two;  but,  probably,  the  more  stern  in  his  disposition, 
with  certain  opinions,  carried  to  the  extreme,  and  leading  to  decla- 
rations tending  to  keep  the  sinner  in  his  unbelief,  and  the  backslider 
to  suppose,  all  was  well  with  him,  while  going  on  in  his  sins.  In  a 
letter  of  Dr.  Stennet,  to  Mr.  Garner,  we  find  him  deploring  their 
disputes  and  mutual  recriminations,  in  addressing  him  and  others; 
but  says,  of  Mr.  Fernie,  that  he  was  regular  in  his  morals^  and 
had  baptized  an  Independent  minister  andhis  whole  congregation, 
and  calls  on  Mr.  Garner  to  defend  himself  in  a  Christian  spirit. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  171 

preached  at  Hamsterley  and  the  neighbourhood,  but 
afterwards  became  re-united  to  the  church;  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Angus,  of  the  JuniperrDye-House,  an  excellent 
man,,  and  of  a  very  liberal  disposition,  as  he  was 
usually  termed  the  Gaius,  or  the  host  of  the  church  ;* 
and  also,  his  brother-in-law,  Mr.  Christopher  Hall,  al- 
ready mentioned.  Mr.  Jonathan  Angus,  of  Panshields, 
the  deacon  on  the  northern-side  of  the  church,  a  little 
man,  but  who,  for  talent  and  weight  of  character,  was  a 
host  in  himself,  took  part  with  Mr.  Garner.f 

*  Mr.  William  Angus  was  descended  in  the  eldest  direct  line 
from  Mr.  Henry  Angus,  of  the  Kaw  House,  whose  eldest  son, 
"William,  was  father  to  Henry,  of  the  Dye-House,  father  to  Mr. 
"William  Angus  in  question,  and  to  Catherine,  wife  of  Mr.  C. 
Hall.  Mr.  Angus  was  born  1719,  and  died,  February,  1 788,  aged 
69.  He  married  a  Miss  Frizzell,  or  Fraser,  who  bore  hftn  three 
sons  and  five  daughters,  most  of  whom,  and  their  descendants, 
have  been,  or  are,  either  members  of  Baptist  churches,  or  support- 
ers of  the  cause.  The  Rev.  George  Sample,  of  Newcastle,  is  Mr. 
Angus'  grandson,  by  one  of  his  daughters. 

t  Mr.  J.  Angus  has  left  a  long  manuscript  on  the  dispute.  So 
did  Mr,  Michael  "Wharton,  Junr.,  on  Mr.  Fernie's  side, "but -as 
both  refer  more  to  points  in  which  they  agreed,  rather  than  those 
in  which  they  differed,  we  shall  only  give  the  following  admirable 
letter  of  Mr.  Joseph  Carr,  son  of  Mr.  William  Carr,  the  late 
minister,  and  father  of  Dr.  Carr.  It  is  addressed- to  Mr.  Isaac 
Garner. 

"  My  esteemed  friend,— That  I  was  not  disappointed  with  the 
conclusion  the  people  came  to,  relating  to  David  (Fernie,)  is  what 
you  are  not  ignorant  of.  I  often  thought  the  essentials  of  that  dif- 
ference were  not  of  such  a  tendency  as  that  a  divison  among  the 
people  should  have  been  the  issue.  If  he,  viz.  David,  never 
publicly  preached,  or  in  private  conversation  maintained,  any  par- 
ticular points  relating  to  faith,  or  the  edifying  of  the  Christian  be- 
liever, but  what  I  have  been  made  acquainted  with,  in  my  simple 
way  of  thinking,  many  of  those  who  now  not  only  seemingly,  but 
really,  oppose  him  with  a  high  hand,  will  make  but  a  poor  reply 
to  the  Chief  Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  Souls  in  the  great  day  of  his 

P  2 


172  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

All  strife  in  any  portion  of  the.  Christian  church  is  to " 
be  deplored.  We  have  the  highest  authority  for  say- 
ing, that  a  house  divided  against  itself,  cannot  stand. 
God,  however,,  has,  in  his  all-wise  providence,  so  order- 
ed matters^  that  good,  remarkable  and  extensive  good 
too,  has  often  sprung  out  of  that,  which,  in  its  own 

appearance  for  so  doing.  Moreover,  having  an  opportunity  of  peru- 
sing a  copy  of  the  "order  left  by  John  Ward,  relating  to  the  £100 
given  by  him  for  the  support  of  a  gospel  ministry  in  Derwentwater, 
where,  according  to  his  account,  the  church  was  first  fixed ;  and 
seriously  considering  with  myself  what  he  expressly  saith  respect- 
ing those  ministers  for  whose  support  he  designed  the  interest  of 
that  sum,  viz., '  that  they  be  sound  in  the  faith,  and  fundamental 
principles  of  the  gospel,  as  personal  election  flowing  out  of.thefree 
love  of  God  in  and  for  Jesus  Christ,  his  worth  and  merits,  who  is 
the  head  and  first-chosen  of  God  and  precious,  and  we  are  freely 
chosen  of  God  in  him  hefore  the  foundation  of  the  world,  the.  true 
and  special  fruits  whereof  are  faith  and  repentance,  &c.,  final  per- 
severance, &c.,  all  of  which  are  the  gifts  of  God ,' — all  of  which  prin- 
ciples my  friend  David  publicly  preacheth,  and  constantly,  so  far 
as  I  ever  knew,  maintaineth, — therefore  why  he  should  be  deprived 
of  having  a  share  with  other  ministers,  who  teach  and  preach  the 
same  doctrines  in  Derwentwater,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know.  I  shall 
however  freely  communicate  my  thoughts  to  yon  relating  to  this 
conduct,  which  are  as  follow, — that  those  who  are  employed  as 
trustees  are  not  acting  according  to  their  duty,  nor  faithfully  dis- 
charging that  trust  reposed  in  them.  And,  how  lamentable. is  this, 
that  men  should  take  such  a  charge  upon  them,  and  act  in  diame- 
trical opposition  to  the  order  given  them.  God  only  knows  what 
views  I  have  before  me  in  this  undertaking.  So  far  as  I  know  my 
own  heart,  the  glory  of  God,  the  good  of  the  people  in  general,  and 
in  particular  you,  whom  I  love  as  my  own  soul,  and  your  spiritual 
welfare  I  greatly  desire.  May  the  God,  who  is  the  author  of  all 
our  blessings,  shew  unto  you  his  mind  and  will,  and  fully  preserve 
you  and  his  people  from  falling  into  the  bypaths  of  error  in  princi- 
ple or  practice,  that  His  truths,  and  his  only,  might,  by  his  grace, 
be  made  to  take  place,  in  all  your  hearts. 

I  beseech  you,  bear  with  my  freedom  in  this  undertaking,  and 
as  I  dont  expect  shortly  to  see  you  any  where  in  the  northside,  I 
hope  you  will  not  be  unwilling  to  transmit  me  a  line  by  way  of 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        173 

iia'tufe>  tended  only  to  evil.  It  was  so,  in  the  present  in- 
•stanee.  A  Mr.  Thos.  Angus  went  to  reside  in  the  neigh- 
•bburhood  of  Stockton-on-Tees,  and  being  attached  to 
Mr.  Fernie,  requested  his  periodical  visitations  to  preach 
In  his  neighbourhood.  Mr.  Fernie  complied ;  and  cer- 
tain persons  residing  in  the  village  of  Marton,  in  York- 
shire, about  six  miles  south  of  Stockton,  and  the  birth 
place  of  the  distinguished  Captain  Cook,  being  led  to 
embrace  Baptist  principles,  a  small  chapel  was  erected 

answer.  If  others  be  saying,  'he  hath  a  devil  and  is  mad,  why- 
do  you  hear  him  F'  I  am  conscious  to  myself,  that  next  to  the 
glory  of  that  wonder-working  'God,  who  hath  done  great  things  for 
my  soul,  the  spiritual  advantage  of  that  people,  "before  whom  my 
dear  progenitor  walked  in  the  order  and  ordinances  of  the  gospel, 
'is  my  principal  view  and  desire.  And  I  heartily  desire  that  God 
may  yet  be  gracious  to  this  people,  by  causing  them,  for  his  own 
name  and  glory's  sake,  to  grow  in  grace,  to  "become  fruitful  in 
works  of  holiness,  serving  God  in  sincerity,  continually  walking 
Tjefore  him  as  the  redeemed  of  the  Lord,  bearing  a  witness  against 
the  enormities  of  the  dayj  for  the  complete  redemption  of  the 
•church  draweth  nigh.  May  the  merciful  High  Priest  of  the 
church,-  -Dear  Isaac— I  had  almost  written  "brother, — Trat  I  am 
loath  to  offend  you — refresh  your  soul  daily,  with  the  comfortable 
influences  of  his  Spirit  and  grace,  and  may  you  be  made  to  drink 
large  draughts  of  that  river  which  maketh  glad  the  cily  of  the 
living  God,  to  whom  be  present  ttnd  Suture  glory.  Amen. 

JOS.  CARR." 
"Horselehope,  Feby.  17th,  1752." 

This  letter  confers  the  greatest  honour  on  the  individual  who 
wrote  it,  as  a  man  of  education,  good  sense,  piety,  justice,  and 
peace,  equally  attached  to  the  doctrine  of  free  grace  and  to  holi- 
ness. Surely  David  Fernie,  whatever  might  have  been  his  fail- 
ings, in  common  with  his  fellow-creatures,  could  not  have  had 
such  an  advocate,  had  his  doctrine  been  very  unsound,  his  spirit 
;and  temper,  in  the  main,  unchristian,  or  his  conduct  immoral.  It 
is  evident,  that  Mr.  Joseph  Carr  warmly  loved  Isaac  Garner, 
Awhile  he  took  part  with  David  Fernie.  O  when  will  such  un- 
christian contention,  between  Christians  and  Christian  ministers., 
cease  ?  The  real  philosophy  of  history  is  the  improvement  of  the 
past,  by  avoiding  its  errors  in  the  present  and  future. 

p  3 


174  HISTOBY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  .  CHURCHES 

by  them  in  that  village.  The  chapel  exists  to  the  pre- 
sent day,  and  is  occupied  by  the  Baptists  in  Stockton. 
As  some  persons  connected  with  the  cause  at  Marton, 
lived  at  Stockton,  these  laid  the  foundation  of  the  -re- 
spectable cause  that  now  exists  in  that  growing  and 
important  town.  Another  individual  and  his  family, 
attached  also  to  Mr.  Fernie,*  afterwards  removed  to 
Woodhall,  near  Midlam,  in  the  North  of  Yorkshire; 
and  Mr.  Fernie  following  these  likewise,  in  his  usual 
routine  of  visitation,  there  arose,  eventually,  out  of  these 
journeys,  and  those  of  others,  not  only  the  causes  of  Be- 
dale  and  Masharn.  but  of  Dishforth  and  Boro'bridge,  as 
will  appear  more  fully  in  the  sequel  of  our  narrative. 

In  the  meantime  an  event  occurred  fraught  with  more 
illustrious  consequences  still.  This  was  the  conversion, 
of  the  younger  brother  of  Mr.  Christopher  Hall  to  Bap- 
tist principles.  This  young  man,  now  in  his  twenty- 
third  year,  had  lost  his  father  when  between  eleven  and 
•twelve,  and  resided  with  an  uncle,  at  a  place  named 
Kirkley,  about  three  miles  to  the  east  of  Black  Heddon. 
About  twelve  months  after  his  arrival  here,  he  became 
the  subject  of  deep  concern  for  his  eternal  safety.  Un- 
happily the  gospel  was  not  preached  where  his  uncle 
attended,  but  merely  the  dreary  doctrine,  to  a  conscience- 
burdened  sinner,  of  Do  and  live.  The  result  was,  he 
spent  seven  years  of  vain  effort  to  obtain  peace  of  mind, 
sometimes  even  signing  covenants  with  his  own  blood. 
With  some  lucid  intervals,  he  was  the  subject  of  the 
deepest  misery ;  so  much  so,  that  when  he  had,  by  ac- 
cident, his  collar-bone  broken  and  Ms  shoulder  disloca- 
ted twice,  he  affirmed  that  the  distress  of  his  body  was 

*  This  -n  as  Mr.  Joseph  Robson,  who  had  married  Ruth, 
daughter  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Angus,  of  Panshields.  Some  of  hia 
descendants  are  still  in  the  same  neighbourhood,  connected  with 
Baptist  Societies,  and  others  are  scattered  over  the  kingdom* 
maintaining  the  same  principles.  .  ; .,  . 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  17 o 

nothing  to  that  of  his  mind.  Sometimes  he  contempla- 
ted suicide,  and  once,  at  least,  he  set  about  performing 
the  direful  deed.  Before,  however,  actually  attempting 
it,  he  thought  he  would  once  inore  glance  at  the  Bible. 
He  did  so,  and  the  first  words  that  met  his  eye  were 
those  gracious  and  condescending  declarations  of  Je- 
hovah, "Come  now,  and  let  us  reason  together ;  though 
your  sins  be  as  scarlet,  they  shall  be  white  as  snow," 
&c.  This  passage  afforded  him  a  faint  gleam  of  hope, 
•and  he  desisted  from  the  shocking  purpose,  but  still  he 
obtained  no  settled  relief,  as  the  freeness  and  fulness  of 
the  gospel,  as  yet,1  were  not  understood  by  him,  At 
length,  however,  he  obtained  relief  by  reading,  study- 
ing, and  understanding,  by  divine  teaching,  Galatians 
iv.  4,  5,  "But  when  the  fulness  of  time  was  come,"  &c. 
This  was  in  May,  1748.  He  now  changed  his  place  of 
worship,  and  went  to  hear  a  Mr.  Dryden,  whose  minis- 
try was  useful  to  him,  and  with  whose  people  he  joined 
in  Christian  communion.  He  also  contracted  a  warm 
intimacy  and  friendship  with  two  students,  Mr.  James 
Rutherford  and  Mr.  William  Peden,  who  were,  at  that 
time,  under  the  tuition  of  Mr.  Dryden. 

About  this  time,  1751, Baptist  sentiments  were  exciting, 
much  attention  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  were  particu- 
larly obnoxious  to  the  Presbyterians.  Mr.  Hall  drank 
deeply  into  this  hate,  together  with  his  two  friends. 
This  was  increased  by  the  circumstance  of  his  brother 
having  become  an  Anabaptist,  and  even  a  preacher 
among  them.  This  was  woeful  enough ;  but  what  was 
still  worse,  he  had  married  one  of  them,  the  sister  of 
the  man  who  had  licensed  his  house  for  their  worship, 
and  consequently  there  would  .be  less  hope  of  reclaiming 
him  from  the  error  of  his  ways.  As  to  his  children, 
they  would  have  their  .Christian  privileges  sadly 
abridged,  by  being  denied,  in  a  most,  cruel  manner,  the 
initiatory  ordinance  into  the  Christian  church ;  and  not 


176  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

only  so,  but  they  would  be  shamefully  cut  off  from 'the 
prayers  of  the  whole  congregation,  and  brought  up 
nothing  but  heathens  in  a  Christian  land.  All  these 
circumstances  combined,  fired  the  blood  of  the  young 
Northumbrian,  and  his  two  young  friends,  against  this 
pernicious  and  pestilent  gang  of  religionists.  They 
therefore  determined,  if  possible,  to  make  a  bold  effort 
to  extirpate  the  heresy;  and,  in  order  to  accomplish 
this  object  the  more  speedily  and  effectually,  they  re- 
solved, that  they  would  begin  at  head  quarters.  No 
sooner  said  than  done.  The  eager  combatants  left 
home,  to  measure  swords  with  the  redoubted  Anabaptist 
minister  Fernie,  at  the  Juriiper-Dye-House. 

It  was  on  a  Saturday  night,  when  this  all-important 
engagement  took  place.  Under  colour  of  paying  a 
visit  to  Mr.  William  Angus,  the.  brother  of  Mr.  Hall's 
sister-in-law,  they  came  to  the  Juniper-Dye-House, 
intending  to  spend  part  of  to-morrow  in  hearing  Mr. 
Fernie  preach.  They  were  gladly  welcomed  and 
hospitably  entertained.  We  may  easily  conceive,  that 
the  young  visitants,  during  the  introductory  part 
.of  the  conversation — which  would  likely  be  led  by 
.  Mr.  Angus  and  Mr.  Fernie— would  have  to  put  forth 
an  effort  to  appear  pleased  and  comfortable;  the  ef- 
fort, every  now  and  then,  relaxing  into  that  state  of 
the  muscles  of  the  countenance,  most  in  accordance 
with  the  feelings  of  their  mind— stiidiousness  regard- 
ing what  they  were  to  say,  and  keenness  of  ardour  for 
the  combat. 

At  length  the  opportunity  presented  itself.  Who  ut- 
tered the  first  word  we  are  not  told,  but  it  was  uttered, 
and  keenly  taken  up  too.  The  battle  commenced,  and 
-during  two  long  hours  it  was  maintained  with  immense 
eagerness.  Fernie  was  well  versed  in  the  controversy, 
from  having  been,  but  recently,  converted  himself  from 
Presbyterianism,  and  all  the  intricacy,  subtilty,  and 


NOETH  OF  ENGLAND.        .,.          177 

plausibleness  of  the  Abrahamic  covenant  scheme,  and  the 
conventional  applications  ofcthe  terms  Baptizo  and  Bap- 
to,  and  their  usual  prepositions.  His  two  opponents,  of 
Scotch  descent,  young  Rutherford  and  Peden,  would, 
by  this  time,  in  some  measure  at  least,  be  acquainted 
with  what  was  usually  urged  on  these  points,  from  the 
divinity  chairs  of  St.  Andrew's,  Aberdeen,  Glasgow,  and 
Edinburgh;  and  young  Hall  would,  doubtless,  with  all 
the  native  vigour  of  his  mind,  have  studied  closely  the 
four  important  points  of  Psedobaptism — "The  promise 
is  unto  you  and  your  children,"—"  If  the  root  be 'holy, 
so.,  also  are  the  branches," — "The  unbelieving  wife  is 
sanctified  by  the  believing  husband,  &c.,else.were  your 
children  unclean,  but  now  they  are  holy," — and,  "  The 
baptism  of  households." 

The  genius  of  Sir  David  Wilkie  would  be  requisite, 
to  give  anything  like  a  living  picture  of  the  particular 
appearance  of  each  warrior,  during  the  two  hours  of 
heroic  .onslaught.  Never  did  the  forefathers  of  these; 
three  Scots,  .and  the  young  Northumbrian,  commanded 
by  a  Douglas  and  a  Percy,  in  the  bloody  border  strife 
of  Chevy  Ghase  or  Otterburu,  combat  more  bravely, 
than  did  these  youthful  redoubted  champions  on  the 
classic  ground  of  Hexhamshire,  fight  the  determined, 
but  bloodless  battle  of  Psedo  and  Anti-Paedobaptism. 

At  length  the  strife  seemed  to  close ;  but  no,— they  re- 
tired only  for  a  little,  consulted,  rallied,  returned,;  were 
defeated  again,  and  the  close  was  final;  but  not  exactly 
in  the  way  that  young  Hall  had  expected.  "When  on  the 
way  between  Kirkley  and  the  Juniper-Dye-House,  he 
thought  nothing  could  be  more  easy  than  to  put  down 
Anabaptism  by  scriptural  argument.  The  whole  subject, 
he  was  persuaded,  in  the  wide  range  of  Revelation,  was 
written  as  with  a  sun-beam;  but,  alas!  how  chop- 
fallen  ! — neither  himself,  with  all  his  native  strength  of 


178  HISTORt  OP  THE  BAPTIST  GHERCHES 

mind,  nor  the  classical  and  metaphysical  education  of 
his  companions,  had  produced  the  least  impression  on 
the  calm  undaunted  front  of  David  Fernie.  Intrenched, 
as  regards  the  SUBJECTS  of  Baptism,  on  three  great 
leading  points — namely,  first,  the  spiritual  nature  of 
the  Christian,  as  distinguished  from  the  Jewish  dis- 
pensation,— second,  the  distinctness  of  the  restriction 
of  baptism  to  believers  in  the  commission  of  Jesus,— 
and  third,  the  unvarying  obedience,  on  the  part  of  the 
Apostles,  to  this  restriction,  seemed  to  afford  no  room' 
for  the  baptism  of  infants  ;• — and,  as  regards  the  MODE 
of  baptism — the  practice  of  the  Latin  or  Roman  Church 
for  thirteen  centuries,  established  by  all  the  fonts  in  the 
cathedrals  and  churches  in  Europe,  at  the  present  day, 
together  with  the  uniform  practice  of  the  Greek  Church, 
in  Greece,  &c.,  who  certainly  knew  the  meaning  of 
their  own  language  best,  appeared  entirely  to  limit  it  to 
immersion.  On  these  points,  independent  of  all  others, 
Mr.  Fernie  conceived  that  he  had  not  been  beaten  in 
the  eager  strife,  and  standing  erect  on  the  battle-field, 
he  saw  with  some  pleasure,  but  no  surprise,  the  crest- 
fallen appearance  of  his  youthful,  but  deeply-interesting 
visitors ;  and  there  can  be  little  doubt,  that  his  fervent 
prayer  was,  that  the  result  of  that  day's  interview  might- 
be,  at  no  distant  period,  the  leading  them  into  all  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus. 

Such  was,  indeed,  the  result  of  the  day  in  the  case  of 
them  all,  and  that  before  a  single  revolution  of  the  globe 
around  its  golden  centre.  Without,  however,  waiting  for 
the  sermon  next  day,  the  two  chagrined  students  would 
not  remain  in  the  house,  but  returned  that  night,  late 
as  it  was,  to  their  own  homes.  They  had  been  silenced, 
but  not  convinced ;  they  read,  and  frequently  met  to 
compare  notes  for  another  engagement,  but  the  acade- 
my dissolving,  the  students  were  scattered.  Young. 
Hall,  however,  was  determined,  again  to  dare  the  field . 


IN  THE  -NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  179 

alone.  He  was  deeply  persuaded,  that  the  great  mass 
of  the  Christian  world  could  not  be  in  the  wrong,  and 
that  truth  could  not  possibly  be  on  the  side  of  those  de- 
luded and  despicable  fanatics,  the  Anabaptists.  He 
read  the  Scriptures  carefully,  and  every  book  on  the 
subject  he  could  lay  his  hands  on.  Imagining,  how- 
ever, in  his  own  mind,  the  possible  replies^to  each  of 
his  arguments,  by  .Mr.  Fernie,  his  mind  faltered,  his 
-heart  began  to  fail  him,  and  he  strongly  .suspected, 
the  more  he  looked  at  them  with  an  honest  ana  unbias- 
ed mind,  that  none  of  them  would  stand  the  searching 
scrutiny  of  the  master-mind,  he  had  had  to  contend 
with.  He  also  perused,  with  great  care,  Wilson's 
Scripture  Manual ;  and  the  result  was,  that  instead  of 
returning  to  the  Juniper-Dye-House,  again  to  combat 
with  Mr.  Fernie,  he  cameio  be  baptized— immersed — as 
a  believer  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  by  him ;  and  thus, 
laid  the  foundation  for  the  connection  of  one  of  the  best- 
men,  one  of  the  greatest  pulpit  orators,  and  one  of  the 
most  beautiful  and  efficient  writers  of  the  English 
language  in  modern  times,  the  justly  celebrated  Eobert 
Hall,  his  son,  with  the  Baptist  denomination.* 

:*,  As  to  the  two  young  students,  Rutherford  and  Peden,  as  al- 
ready hinted,  they  were  led  within  the  same  year  to  consider  the 
subject  of  Baptism  more  deeply  than  heretofore.  .This  was  the 
case,  particularly  with  the  first  named.  In  an  appendix  to  a 
small  work  on  the  same  subject,  ^published  about  four  years  after- 
wards, in  Dublin,  he  narrates  his  experience.  There  he  tells  us, 
that  he  was  born  in  the  North  of  England,  and  educated  in  the 
Presbyterian  persuasion.  He  does  not  say  that  he  was  of  Scotch 
descent;  but  it  seems  probable,  from  his: being  educated  a  Pres- 
byterian, and  from  his  going  afterwards  to  a  Latin  school,  at  Jed- 
burgh,  in  Scotland.  It  was  to  th;s  seminary,  that  he  went,  when 
he  left  Mr.  Dryden's  academy.  It  was  the  custom  in  this 
school,  for  some  of  the  more  advanced  scholars  to  repeat, 
t>n  the  Monday  morning,  a  part  of  Vincent's  Catechism...  One 
morning,  a  short  time  after  he  went,  he  got  a  question  to  repeat 


180  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Mr.  Hall  was  baptized,  by  Mr.  Fernie,  5th  January, 
1752,  and  in  June  he  was  called  by  the  church  to 
preach  the  gospel.  He  was  then  in  his  24th  year,  and 
had  been  married  the  year  before,  in  July,  to  Miss 
Jane  Catcheside,  who  bore  him  fourteen  children. 

on  Baptism.  It  led  him  to  think.  He  does  not -mention  that  his 
mind  had  been  excited  on  the  subject  previously,  at  the  Dye- 
House ;  but  whatever  might  be  his  reason  for  not  stating  this  cir- 
cumstance, we  have  the  testimony  of  Mr.  Hall,  that  Mr.  R.  was 
with  him  at  that  place,  and  of  Dr.  Ryland,  that  the  writer  of  the 
tract  at  Dublin  was  the  same  person. 

The  working  of  his  mind  on  the  subject,  as  stated  by  himself, 
evinces  the  character  of  that  mind,  and  shows  him  to  have  been 
possessed  of  a  considerable  degree  of  acuteness.    "The  method  I 
took,"  he  says,  "to  have  my  doubts  removed,  was,  more  strictly 
to  search  into  what  Mr.  Vincent,  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  the 
catechisms,  say  upon  the  subject;  but  these  failed  to  give  the  sa- 
tisfaction wished  for.    I  had  frequently  heard,  that  the  Church  of 
England  affirms,  that  an  infant  is  made  a  member  of  Christ,  &c., 
and  had  been  condemned  for  doing  so;  but,  our  own  church  says 
the  very  same  thing,  as  it  defines  (baptism)  to  be  an  holy  ordi- 
nance, wherein  by  sensible  signs,  Christ,  and  the  benefits  of  the 
New  Covenant,  are  represented,  sealed,  and  applied  to  believers.. 
Elsewherej  we  are  said  to  be  made  partakers  of  Christ,  by  the  ef- 
fectual application  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  by  working  faith  in  us, '  and 
thereby  uniting  us  to  Christ  in  our  effectual  calling.  If,"  concludes 
Mr.  B,.,  "we  are  made  partakers  of  these  benefits  by  the  sensible 
signs  of  Baptism,  then  it  is  not  by  the  spirit  of  Christ  fa  our  ef- 
fectual calling;  but  if  it  is  by  the  word  and  spirit  of  Christ  in  our 
effectual  calling,  then  it  is  not  by  the  sensible  sign  in  Baptism." 
This  can  never  be  reconciled.  Three  passages  of  scripture  decided 
Mr.  R's.  mind;  John  iv.  23,  &c.,  Heb.  xi.  6,  and  1st  Peter  iii.  21. 
"Wilson's  Manual  also  had  its  influence  in  leading  him  to  this  de- 
cision, and  he  resolved,  when  the  vacation  arrived  in  the  harvest 
time,  Tie  would  visit  some  of  the  Baptist  congregations  in  Eng- 
land.   In  the  meantime,  he  informed  his  father  of  the  change  in 
his  sentiments,  and  hinted  at  his  intention.    This  kindled  at  home 
the  fire  of  resentment.    He  tried  to  dismiss  the  subject  from  his 
mind,  and  wished  to  treat  it  as  an  indifferent  and  non-essential 


'"-  IN  T&E  NORTH  OP  ENGLAND.        181 

'  -Mr.  Hall  settled  in  1753,  at  Arnsby,  in  Leicestershire, 
the  circumstances  tending  to  which  we  are  now  ahout 
to  relate. 

In  the  year  1747,  we  left  Mr.  Christopher  Hall  at 
Wigton,  the  assistant  of  Mr.  Ruston,  of  Broughton. 
He  continued  thus  employed  till  1752.  In  the  summer 

matter,  but  could  not.  He  now  heard  of  Mr.  Hall's  baptism,  and 
resolved  to  see  Mm  on  his  return.  ' 

He  did  so,  and  Mr.  Hall  and  he  proposed  to  go  ira  the  Dye- 
House,  on  the  Saturday  week  following.  Mr.  R.  was  first  there. 
He  was  gladly  welcomed,  and  admitted  to  the  church  meeting.. 
There  were  two  persons  that  night  to  he  baptized,  who  related 
their  experience ;  and  with  this  Mr.  B.  was  much  affected,  as  al- 
so with  the  minister's  discourse  at  the  river  side,  together  with 
his  prayer  before  and  after  the  administration.  "These  were 
so  powerful  and  pertinent,"  says  Mr.  B.,  "that  I  secretly  wished 
all  my  acquaintances  present.'*  He  was  asked,  what  he  thought 
now.  He  tried  to  assume  the  air  of  opposition,  and  found  the  same 
arguments  employed  in  defence,  which  he  had  learned  from  the 
Scriptures  at  a  distance.  The  impression  on  his  mind  at  the  Bap* 
tism,  his  farther  information  from  Mr.  Hall,  and  the  words--"  why 
'  tamest  thou," — led  him  to  feel  so,  that  he  could  scarcely  forbear 
crying  out,  "  What  doth  hinder  me  to  be  baptized?"  He  was  so, 
next  day.  Two  persons  came  forward  early  in  the  morning  to  be 
baptized.  Mr.  B.  presented  himself  also,  as  a  candidate,  along 
with  them.  "  The  relation  of  our  experience,"  he  remarks,  "took 
up  much  of  the  morning,  the  people  standing  on  each  side  of  the 
river.  The  occasion  reminded  me  of  the  primitive  baptism  in 
Jordan.  Mr.  Fernie  preached  twice  from  Isaiah  xxv.  26,  and 
then  proceeded  to  administer  the  Lord's  Supper.  He  first  ad- 
dressed the  parties  newly  baptized,  and  with  cordial  affection 
gave  us  the  right  hand  of  fellowship.  It  was  a  feast  to  my  soul, 
and  I  stood  in  great  need  of  it,  for  I  met  with  a  cool  reception  on 
my  return  home." 

His  father  asked  him  if  he  had  been  baptized.  He  told  him 
the  truth;  and  was  desired  to  leave  the  house.  "I  quietly 
walked  out,"  he  says,  "  to  lament  my  hard  fate.  After  my  father 
had  gone  to  bed,  my  mother  called  me  in,  and  the  next  morning 
his  countenance  was  more  towards  me  than  at  other  times.  In  a 
short  time,  a  beloved  cousin  was  made  the  happy  instrument  of 

Q 


182  HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

of  that  year  he  was  invited  to  supply  the  church  at 
Arnsby,  to  whom  he  had  heen  recommended  by  a  good 
old  soldier,  with  whom  he  had  become  acquainted  at 
Carlisle,  when  the  army  of  the  Duke  of  Cumberland,  on. 
their  return  from  Scotland,  encamped  there.  Mr.  Hall 


turning  my  father's  heart,  which  put  an  end  to  all  my  troubles 
from  that  quarter." 

The  cousin,  Mr.  R.-here  refers  to,  was,  probably,  Mr.  William 
Peden,  who  went  along  with  him  and  Mr.  R.  Hall  to  the  Juniper- 
Dye-House.  He  is  said,  in  a  note,  to  have  been  the  son  of  an 
uncle,  whom  he  had  much  dreaded  to  encounter  on  the  subject  of 
Baptism.  Both  were  men  of  great  abilities,  and  strict  piety,  and 
died  nearly  at  the  same  time,  soon  after.  Dr.  Ryland,  in  his 
funeral  sermon  for  Mr.  Hall,  affirms,  that  Mr.  Peden  also  be- 
came a  Baptist,  assisted  Mr.  Fernie  in  preaching  at  Tuthill- 
stairs,  Newcastle,  settled  at  Sunderland,  but  died  young.  This 
must  have  been  the  case,  if  Mr.  Peden  were  his  cousin,  as 
Mr.  Rutherford's  book  was  published  in  1 758. 

Mr.  R.  was  soon  called  out  to  preach  the  gospel,  baptize,  &c. 
He  likewise  assisted,  for  a  short  time,  Mr.  Fernie,  at  Tuthill* 
stairs;  but  in  the  beginning  of  1754,  he  went  to  Dublin  to  preside 
over  a  Baptist  church  there.  The  following  is  an  extract  of  a  letter 
he  wrote  to  Mr.  Wm.  Angus,  of  the  Dye-House,  soon  after  his 
arrival : — 

"DUBLIN,  FEBY.  5,  1754. 

"  Dear  Brother, — I  wish  the  peace  of  God,  that  passeth  all 
understanding,  may  possess  your  heart  and  soul,  and  establish 
you  as  a  pillar  in  his  house.  I  got  safe  to  Dublin;  and  am  since 
in  very  good  health.  The  people  here  are  of  a  very  kind  loving 
disposition;  but  too. polite  and  grand  for  such  a  rustic  as  myself. 
Capt.  Fletcher  has  been  all  along  a  true  friend  to  me.  It  is 
highly  probable,  my  preaching  will  not  be  acceptable,  my  divinity 
being  too  coarse  spun  for  such  refined -tastes  as  most  of 'em  have. 
They  are  bitter  enemies  to  the  doctrines  of  grace,  (two  or  three  ex- 
cepted)  so  that  I  hear  of  a,  rumour  among  them  that  I  fly  as  high 
as  Dr.  Gill,  if  not  so  high*as  Mr.  Johnson.  Judge  ye  what  a  situ- 
ation I  am  in,  who  can  neither  get  my  tongue  employed,  nor 
my  heart  eas.cd,  except  in  the  pulpit.  And  now  may  ..the  good-will 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  183 

•went  to  Arnsby,  and  supplied  for  two  Sabbaths  in 
the  end  of  the  summer.  The  people  wished  him  to  fe- 
main,  but,  as  he  had  engaged  to  spend  the  winter  at 
Whitehaven,  where  he  had  had  a  weekly  lecture,  for 
some  time,  he  could  not  comply.  At  this  time  Mr. 
Hall  visited  London,  but  returned  to  the  north  by  the 
list  August,  and  preached,  it  is  supposed,  at  Oulton,  on 
the  2nd,  being  Lord's  .day.  On  the  8th  he  was  to  preach 
.at  Broughton,  and  also  next  day,  but  to  his ;  great  sur- 
prise, Mr.  Thomas  Palmer,  of  Hull,  had  possession  of 
the  pulpit.  Mr.  Hall,  in  the  Whitehaven  church-book, 
says, ,"  Mr.  Palmer  did  all  this  of  his  own  accord." 
This  appears,  however,  to  have  been  a  mistake,  as  .the 
people  seem  to  have  been  opposed  to  the  high  doctrines 
of  Mr.  Hall,  which  Mr.  Palmer  engaged  to  oppose, 
and,  as  he  was  a  man  of  property,  to  preach  to  them 
freely.*  . 

In  the  end  of  the  year  1751,  a  Mr.  George  Sephton, 
a  member  of  the  church  in  Liverpool,  under  Mr.  Oul- 

^f  Him  who  dwelt,  in  the  bush,  be  with  my  Bro.,  and  the  whole 
church.    So  prays  your  dear  Brother  in  the  best  bonds, 

JA.MES  RUTHERFORD." 

The  Captain  Fletcher,  mentioned  in  this  letter,  was  from 
Broughton,  as  Mr.  R.  directs  Mr.  Angus  to  write  to  him,  by 
Mr.  C.  Hall,  Whitehaveu,  who  could  get  all  letters,  &c.,  convey- 
ed to  Dublin. 

Mr.  Rutherford  continued  at  Dublin  till  he  lost  his  health,  in 
1760.  He  was  warmly  and  affectionately  invited  to  succeed  Mr. 
-Ryland,  at  "Warwick.  He  went  there,  but  died  soon  after,  in  1761 . 

*  Mr.  T.  Palmer  was  brother  to  Henry  Palmer,  already 
mentioned.  He  appears  to  have  been  baptized  at  Broughton, 
in  his  18th  year,  1735,  being  born  in  17J8.  He  studied  at  one  of 
the  Scotch  Universities,  and  settled  at  Hull,  over  a  newly-formed 
-church,  chiefly  members  from  Bridlington,  9th  October,  1740.  In 
1750  he  published  a  small  work  off  Baptism;  and  in  1752  left 
Hull,  and  came  to  Broughton,  as  above  stated. 

Q2 


184  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

ton,  had  come  to  live  at  WMtehaven,  and  had  joined 
the  church  at  Broughton.  He  soon  invited  Mr.  Hall 
to  preach  at  WMtehaven,  which  the  latter  did  with  good 
effect,  in  the  beginning  of  1752.  He  baptized  some  there, 
to  whom  he  had  been,  useful,  and  these,  when,  the  above 
circumstances  transpired  at  Broughtonr  invited  Mr. 
Hall  to  come  and  reside  with  them.  He  did  so,  and 
was  ordained  their  pastor,,  25th  April,  1753.  Previ- 
ously to  his  ordination,  he  wrote  to  the  people  of  Arnsby, 
that  he  now,  from  his  engagements,  at  "WMtehaven, 
could  not  comply  with  thek  wishes  that  he  should  settle 
among  them,  but  recommended  to  them,  his  brother 
Robert,  lately  baptised  by  Mr.  Fernie,  and  called  to  be 
a  minister.  They  acted,  on  this  advice,  Mr.  Robert 
complied,  and  arrived  at  Arnsby,  in  June,  1753,  where 
he  continued  a  laborious,  useful,,  and  beloved  minis.- 
ter  till  his  death,  13th  March,  1791.  » 

Mr.  Christopher  Hall  continued  at  WMtehaven  till 
1760,  when  he  removed  to  Harvey-lane,  Leicester,;  over 
which  church,  at  a  later/- period,  presided  the  great 
William  Carey,  and  his  distinguished  nephew,  Robert 
Hall,  Junior,  for  about  20  years.  He,  himself,  remain- 
ed only  one  year  and  a  quarter.  In  1761,  he  settled  at 
Rye,  in  Sussex ;  and  in  the  following  year,  he  removed 
to  Luton,  Bedfordshire,  where  he  remained  six  years, 
and  then  removed  to  London,  to  succeed  Mr.  John  Al- 
len, (who  came  to  Newcastle,)'  at  Petticoat-lane.  He 
was  set  apart,  1769.  The  church  removed  to  Glass- 
house-yard, Aldersgate-street,  November  2,  1772.  In 
1774,  they  built  a  new  place  in  Crown-alley,  Moor- 
fields;  continued  there  till  1783;  removed  to  Hope-street, 
Spital-fields,  and  Mr.  Hall  continued  to  preach  there 
till  Ms  death,  August  17, 1786,  aged  61  years.  He  was 
buried  in  Bunhill-fields. 

In  the  end  of  the  year  1752,  Mr.  Fernie.  had  been 
requested  to  supply  the  church  at  Tuthill-stairs,  New- 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  185 

castle.  He  did  so,  along  with  Mr.  Rutherford,  as 
already  mentioned,  and  also  with  Mr.  Peden,  till  the 
church  there  was  supplied  by  a  minister  named  Mr. 
Bowser,  said  to  be  a  native  of  Sunderland.  At  this 
latter  place  there  appears  to  have  been  a  Baptist  church 
at  this  time,  and  Mr.  Peden  had  become  its  minister. 

1753. — The  annual  association  was  held  this  year  at 
Hawksheadhill.  Great  anxiety  is  expressed,  that  the 
messengers  should  state  clearly  to  the  churches,  the 
advices  tendered  to  them  by  the  association,  and  if  they 
neglected  they  should  be  reproved.  The  heads  of 
families  are  recommended  to  educate  their  children  in 
the  knowledge  of  the  Bible,  and  the  Baptist  Catechism. 

1754. — The  annual  meeting  was  held  this  year  at 
Hamsterley.  The  letter  from  the  church  in  this  village, 
both  for  this  year  and  the  previous  one,  is  in  the  hand 
writing  of  Mr.  Garner ;  but  these  are  the  last ;  and  no 
entry  is  found  in  the  church-book  for  the  ensuing  sixteen 
or  seventeen  years.  It  is  probable,  from  these  circum- 
stances, that  the  health  of  Mr.  Garner  was  giving  way ; 
he  had,  however,  a  few  assistants.  Mr.  Cuthbert  Craw- 
ford had  been  called  to  the  ministry,  in  1750.  It  is 
probable,  that  his  cousin  Mr.  Joshua  Garner,  who 
was  for  some  yea;rs  his  successor,  also  assisted  him 
for  some  time  before  he  died.  Mr.  Michael  Whar- 
ton — probably  the  son  of  the  former  individual  of 
that  name, — had  been  baptized  by  Mr:  Garner,  and, 
it  may  be,  assisted  him.  He  seems,  however,  to 
have  been  called,  about  this  time,  to  Oulton,  tp  aid 
Mr.  Palmer,  where  he  continued  to  his  death,  which 
took  place  about  the  year  1790.  Mr.  Oulton  left  Brid- 
lington  this  year,  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Thomas 
"Wilbraham.  i 

1755 — 1758. — Between  these  years  few  particulars 
respecting  the  churches  are  known;  but  the  latter  of 

them  is  distinguished  by  the  death  of  Mr.  Isaac  Gar- 

Q3 


186  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

ner.*  This  event  took  place  oh  the  19th  September,  in 
his  forty-first  year.  Owing  to  his  secular  and  minis- 
terial employments,  his  constitution,— as  his  daughter, 
Mrs.  Angus,  informed  the  writer, — soon  broke  up.  For 
some  time  before  his  death,  he  became  the  victim  of  a 
dropsical  complaint,  and  gradually  sunk  beneath  it. 

As  a  pastor,  Mr.  Garner  was  both  disinterested  and 
laborious;  as  he  was  unwearied,  while  his  health  re- 
mained, in  going  to  Rowley  and  Hindley,  every  fort- 
night, which,  necessarily,  to  a  person  of  feeble  frame, 
involved  great  fatigue ;  and  the  expenses  of  his  horse, 
in  travelling,  his  daughter  affirmed,  were  about  the 
whole  of  the  amount  the  church  awarded  him  for  his 
labours. 

As  a  preacher,  Mr.  Garner  was  very  acceptable. 
The  remains  of  his  letters  and  sermons,  discover  him 

*  Mr.  Garner  married  soon  after  he  came  to  Hamsterley,  Ann, 
daughter  of  Joseph  Jopling,  of  Satley,  whose  father  Joseph  was 
the  eldest  son  of  Joseph  and  Deborah  Jopling,  referred  to  in  page 
84.  Mrs.  Garner's  mother  was  Elizabeth,  sister  of  Sarah 
Rippon,  mother  of  Mr.  Wm.  Angus,  of  the  Juniper-Dye-House. 
She  had  four  brothers :  Thomas,  of  Cotherstone,  long  a  deacon  of 
the  church  at  Hamsterley;  John,  of  the  same  place;  Silas,  of 
London ;  and  Isaac,  of  Gateshead.  She  had  two  sisters  that  died 
young;  and  Elizabeth,  wife  of  the  Rev.  David  Kinghorn,.  of 
Bishop  Burton,'  father  of  the  distinguished  Rev.  Joseph  King- 
horn,  of  Norwich.  Mrs.  Garner  had  six  children,  two  sons 
and  four  daughters.  She  bore  her  youngest  son  and  daughter 
twins,  after  the  death  of  their  father,  Mr.  Garner.  Her  eldest 
son  married  a  Miss  Fletcher,  of  Broughton;  and  settled  in  Dub- 
lin. Her  eldest  daughter  married  Thomas  Morgan,  of  Hamster- 
ley,  whose  son  Thomas  settled  as  a  Baptist  minister  in  Dublin. 
Her  second  daughter  married,  1st.  Mr.  Little,  of  Cotherstone,  by 
whom  she  had  one  daughter,  Mrs.  Atkinson,  Newcastle;  and  2nd, 
the  Rev.  Jacob  Hutton,  of  Broughton.  Her  third  daughter, 
Dorothy,  was  married  to  Henry  Angus,  of  the  Low-Dye-House, 
grandson  of  Titus,  third  son  of  Henry  Angus,  of  Raw-hduse. 
Her  youngest  daughter  died  unmarried,  and  her  youngest  son 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  187 

to  have  beeii  not  only  a  very  pious  man,  bnt  one  of 
good  mental  capacity,  some  reading,  and  considerable 
sdripiiifai  information.  An  aged  female^  living  at  the 
village  of  Cotherstone,  where  Mr.  Garner  had  relatives, 
whoin  he  often  visited,  and  usually  preached  when  he 
did  so,  told  the  Writer,  that  she  had  often,  in  her  younger 
days,  heard  Mr.  Garner,  and  that  he  was  a  good 
pf  eacher >  and  a  holy  man.  But  the  Chief  proof  of  the 
value  of  his  preaching  was,  the  success  with  which  it 
was  crowned ;  for  in  the  course  of  the  sixteen  or  seven- 
teen years  that  he  was  minister  and  pastor  of  the 
people  in  Hamsterley,  &c.,  seventy-four  persons  were 
added  to  their  number.  It  is  truej  that  he  might  not 
personally,  by  his  preaching,  have  been  the  instrument 
of  converting  the  whole.  As  some  of  them  bear  the  name 
of  certain  persons;  whose  names  are  attached  to  the 
trust-deed  of  the  chapelj  at  Marton,  in  Yorkshire,  it  is 
probable  that  these  were  the  same  persons  recorded  in 
the  church-book  at  Hamsterley.  It  is  highly  likely, 
from  this>  that  Mr.  Fernie  was  the  means  of  adding 
these,  and,  probably,  many  others;  doubtless  also,  the' 
other  fellow-labourers  of.  Mr.  Garner  had  their  share  in 
this  amount  of  usefulness.  But  still,  there  can  be  little 
doubt  that  he  himself  had  a  considerable  part,  under 
the  Great  Head  of  the  church,  in  eflecting  these  ad- 
ditions. As  in  the  case  of  other  communities,  it  must  be 
acknowledged  that  some  of  those  who  were  added,  were 
afterwards  excommunicated;  but  still,  with  regard  to 
the  majority,  in  the  exercise  of  a  charitable  decision, 
there  is  reason  to  hope,  that  they  were  truly  converted 
to  God. 

Isaac  wag  a  printer,  and  was  the  author  of  some  poetical  pieces,  of 
considerable  nterit<  A  short  notice  of  him  is  given  by  Mackenzie, 
in  his  History  of  Durham,  Mrs.  Garner  married  a  second  time, 
and  died  in  1806.  She  vras  deposited  in  the  grave  of  her  first 
husband. 


188  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST-CHURCHES 

1759— 1760.— After  Mr.  Garner's  death,  the  la- 
bourers in  the  church  already  mentioned,  had  "the 
care  of  it,  along  with  the  deacons,  and  public  preach- 
ing chiefly  devolved  on  them.  These  were  Mr.  Joshua 
Garner  and  Mr.  Cuthbert  Crawford.  Mr.  J.  Garner 
never  was  ordained  over  the  church,  which  was, 
therefore,  from  1758  to  1774,  destitute  of.  a  regular 
pastorate.  Mr.  Jonathan  Angus  still  officiated  as  dea- 
con, but  as  he  was  now  far  advanced  in  years,  his  son, 
Mr.  George  Angus,  was  called  to  his  assistance.  His 
son-in-law  also,  Mr.  John  Hall,  of  Hamsterley,  along 
with  a  colleague  of  .the  same  name,  at  this  time, 
sustained  the  office  of  deacon,  with  great  credit  to 
themselves  and  benefit  to  the  church.  The  supra- 
lapsarian  notions  still  so  'far  prevailed,  that  several 
withdrew,  and  united  with  Messrs.  Fernie  and  Blacket; 
the  latter  of  whom  preached  in  a  house  of  his  own, 
at  Hamsterley,  and  also  visited  either  occasionally, 
or  periodically,  the  village  of  Westpits,  &c. 

In  the  year  1761,  after  a  probation  of  full  six  years, 
Mr.  "Wllbraham  was  ordained  at  Bridlingtpn.  He  was 
quite  blind,  but  a  very  acceptable  preacher. 

1762. — Previously  to  1762,  the  church  at  Newcastle 
had  been  supplied  by  Messrs.  Fernie,  Peden,  and 
Bowser.  The  latter  had,  for  some  time,  been  the 
settled  minister  of  that  church ;  but  about  this  period 
he  had  left,  and  they  were  again  in  a  state  of  des- 
titution. Their  only  resource  was  their  old  friend, 
Mr.  Fernie,  and  the  church  at  the  Juniper-Dye-House. 
They  accordingly  sent  to  them  the  following  letter, 
imploring  their  assistance : — 

"  NEWCASTLE,  JULY  12, 1762. 

"  To  the  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  at  Hexham,  fyc.,  under  the 
pastoral  care  of  Mr.  David  Fernie. 

"We,  your  brethren,  of  the  same  faith  and  order,  at  New-- 
castle,  send  Christian  salutations.     We  acknowledge  your  tender 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  189 

faithful  care,  and  concern  for  us,  since  we  became  a  people  here, 
and  that  you  have  been  like  a  mother  and  nurse  to  us,  who  are 
yet  but  in  oar  infancy,  and  no  wonder  we  think  and  act  like 
children.  Mr.  Bowser  is  gone  from  us,  and  we  are  again  desti- 
tute. "We  thank  you  for  this  visit  of  your  pastor;  and  we  unani- 
mously desire,  and  request,  you  will  Send  him  to  visit  us ;  and 
we  have  made  the  like  application  to  the  choreh  at  Sunderland, 
which,  if  granted,  will  supply  us  once  a  fortnight,  till  we  see 
what  the  Lord  will  do  for  us.  And  we  desire  your  prayers  to  the 
Loftl  of  the  harvest,  for  a  labourer  to  this  little  vineyard;  and 
though  we  are  young,  weak,  few,  poor,  and  much  dispersed,  who 
can  tell  what  the  Lord  may  do  for  his  own  name's  sake.  "We 
think  most  of  us  are,  through  grace,  sincere  and  hearty  for  the 
cause,  and  the  Lord  is  among  us.  Your  favourable  compliance 
will  much  oblige  us,  and  we  shall  make  conscience  of  bearing  his 
charges;  for  the  workman  is  worthy  of  his  meat. 

•"  This,  by  order  of  the  church,  is  signed 
by  your  dear  brethren  in  the 
kingdom  and  patience  of  Jesus  Christ, 

GEORGE  WEST, 
JAMES  MUNDELL.»» 

1763 — 1765. — During  these  years  we  have  few  docu- 
ments to  enable  us  to  ascertain  the  state  of  our  northern 
churches.  In  tEe  course  of  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Joshua 
Garner,  at  Hamsterley,  we  have  no  entries  in  the 
church  record ;  and  in  that  of  Newcastle,  none  till  1765, 

*  The  above  letter  throws  considerable  light  on  the  history  of  the  church 
at  Tuthill-stairs.  They  represent  themselves,  1st.  As  being  few,  -weak,  and 
poor.  2nd.  As  being  dispersed ;  intimating,  probably,  that  few  as  they  were, 
they  were  much  scattered  over  the  neighbouring  towns  and  villages  of  North 
and  South  Shields,  &c.  3rd.  As  being  young1,  and  in  their  infancy ;  also  as 
having  had  the  church  at  Hexham  to  have  cared  for  them  as  a  mother  and  a 
nurse.  This  appears  to  imply,  that  previously  to  Mr.  Ferule's  being  pastor 
of  the  church  at  the  Dye-House,  the  Newcastle  people  had  been  in  such  a 
reduced  state,  that  they  had  been  formed  as  a  church  anew,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Mr.  Ferine ;  and  perhaps  this  had  taken  place  soon  after  Mr.  Kendall 
had  written  his  letter,  in  1749.  Be  this,  however,  as  it  may,  the  name  of 
George  West,  attached  to  the  above  letter,  seems  to  guarantee  the  existence 
of  some  of  the  members  of  the  church,  during  the  forty-two  years  that  inter- 
vened, between  the  purchase  of  the  property  in  1720  and  1762.  If  Mr.  G. 
West  was  thirty-eight  in  1720,  he  would  only  be  seventy-two  now  in  1762» 
The  above  letter  has  been  preserved  in  the  family  of  Mr.  "William  Angus, 
the  deacon  of  the  church  at  Juniper-Dye-House. 


190  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

when  we  are  informed  that  Mr.  Fernie  still  ministered 
to  the  people  there,  once  a  month,  in  his  usual  itinera- 
ting journies  in  Northumberland,  Durham,  and  York- 
shire. In  this  year  he  baptized  at  Tuthill-stairs,  two 
individuals  who  were  afterwards  distinguished  mem- 
bers in  that  church,  viz.,  Mr.  Caleb  Alder,  a  gentleman 
of  great  respectability,  and  Mr.  Philip  Nairn. 
r  It  was  also  in  1765,  that  Mr.  Sedgefield,  formerly  of 
Liverpool,  but  who  from  1725,  had  been  minister  of 
the  church  at  Tottlebank,  a  .period  of  forty  years,  died. 
He  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Joshua  Kettleby,  who  was 
ordained  18th  September,  1765,  and  continued  pastor  of 
the  church  till  1770,  when  he  removed. 

In  the  month  of  July,  this  year,  1765,  Mr.  Robert 
Carmichael,  minister  of  a  small  Independent  church,  in 
Edinburgh,  invited  Dr.  Gill,  of  London,  to  come  to 
Edinburgh  to  baptize  him,  with  five  others,  as  they 
had  changed  their  sentiments  on  the  subject  of  bap- 
.tism.  As  this  was  not  convenient  for  the  Doctor, 
he  requested  Mr.  C.  to  apply  to  Mr.  Fernie,,  in  the 
North  of  England,  and  induce  him  to  administer  the  or- 
dinance to  himself  and  friends.  This  suggestion  wag 
couched  in  the  following  terms : — 

"JULY  16,  1765. 

"  There  is  one  Mr.  David  Fernie,  a  Scotchman  by  birth,  in  the 
northern  part  of  England.  He  is  a  man  of  great  evangelical 
light,  and  good  knowledge  of  the  constitution  and  order  of  church- 
es. He  frequently  preaches  at  Newcastle  and  Simderland;  but 
his  ministry  lies  chiefly  in  the  bishoprick  of  Durham.  I  direct 
my  letters  always  to  him — for  I  have  had  a  correspondence  with 
him  for  many  years, — in  this  manner: — To  Mr.  David  Fernie,  at 
the  Chair-head,  Newgate,  Bishop- Auckland,  in  the  County  of 
'Durham.  If  Mr.  Carmichael  could  take  a  journey  into  these 
parts,  which  is  the  nearest  I  think  I  can  direct  to,  he  might  be 
baptized  by  him,  and  then,  as  I  before  observed,  upon  his  return^ 
he  might  baptize  the  rest  of  the  friends. 

(Signed,) 

JOHN  GILL." 


IN  THE' NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  191 

1766.— We  have  not  the  means  at  present,  of  ascer- 
taining the  reason  why  Mr.  Carmichael  was  not  baptized 
by  Mr.  Fernie ;  but,  as  stated  in  the  note  below,  he  was 
baptized  in  October,  this  year,  in.  London,  by  Dr.  Gill.* 
An  affectionate  intimacy,  we  are  certain,  commenced  at 
this  time  between  Mr.  Carmichael  and  the  friends  at 
Edinburgh,  and  Mr.  Fernie  and  the  friends  in  the 
North  of,  England.  In  the  midsummer  of  1766,  Mr. 
Fernie,  with  his  beloved  and  constant  friend,  Mr.  "Wil- 
liam Angus,  of  the  Juniper-Dye-House,  went  to  Edin- 
burgh, and  had  an  affectionate  and  Christian  interview 

*  The  notice  which  has  been  already  taken  of  the  Baptists,  in 
Scotland,  in  the  days  of  the  Commonwealth,  leads  us  to  feel  an 
interest  in  the  resuscitation  of  Baptist  principles,  in  that  country, 
at  this  time.  Among  the  leaders  in  this  movement,  were  the 
above  Mr.  Carmichael,  who  had  been  orginally  an  Antiburgher 
minister,  at  Cupar,  in  Angusshire,  where  he  was  much  esteemed. 
By  perusing  the  works  of  the  celebrated  John  Glass,  he  left  his 
former  connexion,  and  became  pastor  of  a  Glassite  church,  in 
Glasgow,  in  1762.  In  1763,  he  had  some  conversation  with  his 
friend,  Mr.  Archibald  Maclean,  Printer,  Glasgow,  on  the  subject 
of  Infant  Baptism.  They  agreed,  that  they  could  see  no  author- 
ity for  it  in  the  Scriptures ;  but  resolved,  not  to  be  hasty  in  their 
decision.  Mr.  Carmichael  was  this  year  called  to  be  an  elder  of 
an  Independent  church,  in  Edinburgh.  In  1764  he  wrote  to  Mr. 
Maclean,  requesting  his  thoughts  on  Baptism.  Mr.  M.  complied; 
and  stated  his  conviction  that  Infant  Baptism  had  no  authority 
from  the  word  of  God.  Mr.  C.  became  also  convinced  of  the 
same  truth,  during  the  following  year,  with  five  others.  As 
there  were  no  Baptists  in  Scotland,  Dr.  Gill,  of  London,  was  writ- 
ten to,  as  stated  in  the  text.  Mr.  C.  went  to  London,  in  the  end 
of  Sept.  1765,  preached  for  Dr.  Gill,  and  was  baptized  by  him,  at 
the  Barbican,  Oct.  9.  Returning  to  Edinburgh,  he  baptized  his 
five  friends,  with  other  two  in  November  following,  and  they  were 
formed  into  a  church.  Mr.  Maclean,  being  at  Glasgow,  was  bap- 
tized some  weeks  afterwards ;  and  in  the  spring  of  the  following 
year,  wrote  an  answer  to  Mr.  Glass's  Dissertation  on  Infant  Bap- 
tism, a  masterly  performance,  the  reading  of  which  had  the  effect 
of  convincing  the  writer,  in  early  life,  of  the  truth  of  Baptist  prin- 


192  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

with  the  brethren  there.    On  their  return  they  brought 
with  them  the  following  letter  :— 

"  The  Church  of  Jesus  Christ,  which  is  in  Edinburgh^  profes- 
sing and  holding  the  doctrine  of  Free,  Sovereign  Grace,  in  the 
Salvation  of  Sinners,  fyc.,  To  the  Churches  of 'Jesus  Christ 
of  the  same  faith  and  order  at  Marion,  Hexham,  and  New- 
castle, under  the  pastoral  care  of  our  dearly  beloved  brother 
]&r.  David  Fernie,  Grace  to  you,  and  peace  from  God 
our  Father,  and  from  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

"  VERY  DEAR  BRETHREN, 

"  We  cannot  but  return  you  our  most  sincere  and  hearty 
thanks,  for  your  great  love,  sympathy,  and  care,  you  have  shewed 
to  us:  first,  in  seeking  after  acquaintance  with  us,  and  in  expres- 
sing your  hearty  affection  towards  us,  in  your  letters  to  Mr.  Har- 
law,  and  afterwards  to  ourselves,  in  your  episties  to  us;  and  now, 
at  this  time,  have  shewed  the  greatest  evidence  of  your  real  re- 
gard to  us  for  the  truth's  sake,  which  you  judged  to  he  in  us,  in 
sending  messengers  to  us,  to  comfort  us  in  our  infant  state ;  and 
still  more  in  that  one  of  them  is  your  pastor,  whom  we  highly  re- 


ciples.  In  1767,  Mr.  Maclean  removed  to  Edinburgh;  and  became 
Mr.  Carmichael's  colleague  in  1768.  The  church  then  considerably 
increased.  In  1769,  Mr.  C.  removed  to  Dundee,  to  take  the  elder- 
ship of  a  newly  formed  church  there.  In  that  year,  churches  were 
formed  at  Glasgow  and  Montrose.  Mr.  Carmichael  died  in  1774. 
In  the  years  1775, 1776,  and  1777,  a  great  degree  of  controversy 
unhappily  occupied  the  newly  formed  churches ;  but  still  they  grew. 
In  1777,  a  number  of  influential  persons  joined  them:  among  others, 
Mr.  Henry  David  Inglis,  advocate,  grandson  to  Colonel  Gardi- 
ner, who  fell  at  Preston  Pans ;  and  Mr.  John  Campbell ;  Mr. 
William  Dickie,  &c.  In  1778,  Mr.  Moncreiff,  brother  to  Sir 
Henry  Moncreiff,  became  elder  of  the  church  at  Glasgow.  In 
the  same  year,  Mr.  William  Braidwood,  long  afterwards,  an 
elder  along  with  Mr.  Maclean,  and  Mr.  H.  D.  Inglis,  joined 
the  church  and  was  ordained  1779.  Some  persons  from  Wooler, 
in  Northumberland,  were  baptized  that  year.  In  1780,  Mr. 
George  Greive,  Presbyterian  minister  there,  also  was  baptized. 
We  shall  allude  to  the  progress  of  this  connexion  in  our  suc- 
ceeding pages. 


.         IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  193 

g'ard,  and  to  whom  we  are  highly  obliged.  And  we  cannot  bat 
express  our  joy,  to  find  both  in  conversation  with  your  messen- 
gers, and  hearing  your  minister  preach,  that  there  is  such  a  unity 
of  spirit  and  sentiment  in  the  doctrines  and  ordinances  of  the 
gospel ;  and  we  think  ourselves  very  happy  in  having  acquain- 
tance and  Christian  correspondence  with  you,  as  a  sister  church, 
or  churches.  0  how  wonderfully  hath  the  Lord  manifested  his 
goodness  to  us,  in  delivering  us  from  Auti-christian  darkness; 
and  gathered  us  into  a  church  state,  publicly  to  confess  him  before 
men,  and  to  follow  him  without  the  camp,  bearing  his  I  reproach; 
and  without  being  ashamed  to  bear  testimony  to  the  doctrines  of 
the  gospel,  and  ordinances  thereof,  that  have  been  corrupted  and 
trodden  under  foot  of  men;  and  all  in  a  way  that  we  looked  not 
for !  We  may  truly  say,  that  we  have  experienced  the  fulfilment 
of  that  promise, '  I  will  bring  the  blind  by  a  way  that  they  know 
not,'  &c.  We  are  but  a  very  small  handful,  poor  and  despised  in 
the  world,  very  unfit  and  unlikely  for  such  a  work,  as  to  raise  his 
truths  and  ordinances  from  so  much  rubbish  as  they  have  been, 
buried  under;  but  the  Lord  himself  hath  begun  it,  and  he  needeth 
not  great  instruments  for  his  work.  '  Not  by  might,  nor  by  pow- 
er; but  by  my  Spirit,  saith  the  Lord.'  To  Him  be  all  the  glory. 

"We  shall  be  always  glad  to  hear  from  you,  and  to  maintain 
Christian  and  kindly  correspondence  with  you,  and  when  it  shall 
be  in  our  power,  we  shall  cheerfully  return  your  visit;  meantime, 
we  acknowledge  your  great  kindness  in  giving  us  this  visit,  which 
hath  been  very  refreshing,  strengthening,  and  comforting  unto  us. 
And  we  pray  the  Lord  may  make  you  a  fruitful  vine,  by  the  sides 
of  his  house;  and  thy  children  like  olive  plants,  round  about  his 
table;  and  that  he  may  do  better  to  you  than  at  your  beginnings. 

"Wishing  you  a  joyful  meeting  with  Mr.  Feniie  and  Mr.  An- 
gus, your  messengers,  and  kindly  saluting  you  all,  we  are  seve- 
rally your  very  affectionate  brethren  in  our  dear  Lord  Jesus. 

"  Signed  in  the  name  and  in  the  presence  of  the 

Church,  at  Edinburgh,  28th  July,  1766,  by 

Eobert  Carmichael,  Eobert  Walker, 
Joseph  Strachan,  Joseph  Wainwright, 
and  J.  Harlaw." 

On  the  return  of  Messrs.  Fernie  and  Angus,  the 
church  at  Newcastle  sent  the  following  reply  to  the 

B 


194  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

church  at  Edinburgh.    It  is  addressed  to  one  of  tbe, 
brethren,  perhaps,  Mr.  Robert  "Walker. 

"  Newcastle,  5th  August,  1760. 
"  VERY  DEAR.  BROTHER, 

"Through  the  good  hand  of  our  God  upon  us,  we  got  safely 
home,  and,  had  a  comfortable  meeting  with  our  brethren,  at  Hex- 
ham,  on  the  First  Day  of  the  Week,  when,  after  the  Lord's  Sup- 
per, your  church  letter  was  read,  which,  with  our  account  of  your 
primitive  simplicity,  gospel  order,  and  stedfastness  in  the  faith, 
brotherly  kindness  to  us,  and  our  great  satisfaction  and  comfort 
among  you,  caused  great  pleasure  and  joy  to  them;  and  also, 
to  the  brethren  here,  whither  I  came  yesterday,  and  delivered 
your  salutations  to  them,  at  a  meeting  we  had  in  the  evening. 
All  of  them  rejoiced  at  the  consolation,  and  salute  you  heartily  in 
the  Lord,  and  wish  your  '  city  may  flourish  like  the  grass  of  the 
earth.' 

"  When  we  reflect  on  that  love  to  Jesus,  and  to  his  truth  and 
kingdom,  that  purity  and  zeal,  that  humility,  openness  of  heart, 
and  brotherly  love  to  us,  that  appeared  in  you  and  your  worthy 
spouse,  and  also  in  our  dear  Mr.  Carmichael  and  all  the  church, 
we  cannot  but  love  you,  and  thank  and  praise  the  Lord  on  your 
behalf.  It  is  the  Lord's  doings,  and  wondrous  and  very  pleasant 
in  our  eyes. 

"  Mr.  Alder's  love,  and  mine,  to  Mr.  Maclean. Mr.  Powler, 

that  minister  I  spoke  of,  has  been  here.  He  rejoices  at  the  good 
tidings  from  Edinr.,  and  gives  kind  respects  to  you  all,  and  joins 
in  good  wishes  for  you.  Accept  this  short  epistle,  as  I  have  little 
time.  If  there  is  any  thing  material  among  you,  inform  us  of  it 
soon.  Direct  either  to  Mr.  West,  as  before,  or  to  Mr.  Caleb  Al- 
der, on  the  Side,  Newcastle.  God  is  able  to  make  all  grace  to 
abound  to  you.  His  blessing  be  on  you,  your  dear  spouse,  and 
your  dear  little  children ;  and  his  beauty  on  the  work  of  your 
hands.  He  is  not  unrighteous  to  forget  your  work  and  labour  of 
love.  The  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  be  with  you  all. 
"I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  sincere  and 

affectionate  brother  in  the  dear  Lord  Jesus, 

DAVID  FERN  IE." 

It  is  a  pleasing  singularity,  that  an  intercourse 
should  take  place  between  the  revived  churches  at 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND,  195 

Hexham,  &c.,  and  Edinburgh,  at  the  present  time,  such 
as  had  taken  place  between  them,  one  hundred  and  thir- 
teen years  before,  in  1653.  Messrs.  Hickhorngill  and 
Stackhouse  were  the  messengers  of  the  church  at  Hex- 
ham,  at  that  time ;  and  Messrs.  Fernie  and  Angus  were 
the  messengers  now.  "When,  at  the  former  time,  the  mes- 
sengers returned  from  Scotland  to  the  North  of  England, 
they  brought  an  affectionate  letter  with  them,  and  told 
the  brethren  how  kindly  they  had  been  received ;  and 
the  church  at  Hexham  sent  an  affectionate  and  grateful 
reply.  We  find  the  churches,  on  the  present  occasion, 
acting  in  a  similar  manner.  In  viewing  both  cases,  we 
are  forced  to  exclaim,  "Behold  how  good  and  how 
pleasant  a  thing  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in 
unity."  Christianity — real,  living  Christianity,  is  ever 
the  same,  at  all  times,  and  in  all  places. 

1767. — In  the  year  1767,  a  change  took  place  at 
Bridlington,  Yorkshire.  Mr.  Wilbraham,  on  account 
of  the  unbecoming  cavilling  of  some  of  the  members  of 
this  church,  felt  himself  induced  to  withdraw.  Mr. 
Gawkrodger,  of  Shipley,  who  had  most  successfully 
reared  the  cause  in  that  place,  was  invited  to  Brid- 
lington. He  accepted  the  call,  and  became  as  useful 
there  as  he  had  been  formerly  at  Shipley. 

1768. — It  was  somewhere  about  this  time,  that  Mr. 
Joshua  Garner,  at  Hamsterley,  as  traditionally  related, 
by  the  aged  people  of  that  period,  received  a  challenge 
from  a  gentleman  of  the  neighbourhood,  Mr.  Surtees, 
a  relative  of  the  historian  of  Durham.  The  challenge 
was,  that  he  would  come  and  hear  him,  if  he  would 
preach  from  Judges  i.  19,  "And  the  Lord  was  with 
Judah,  and  he  drave  out  the  inhabitants  of  the  moun- 
tains, but  could  not  drive  out  those  of  the  vallies,  be- 
cause they  had  chariots  of  iron."  Mr.  Garner  accepted 
the  challenge,  and  preached  on  the  subject,  much  to  the 

R  2 


196  HISTOKY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHCJBCSES 

satisfaction  of  Mr.  Surtees,  who,  exclaimed,  that  he 
was  an  uncouth,  but  a  clever  fellow.  We  are  not 
told  what  interpretation  Mr.  Garner  gave  the  pas- 
sage; but  it  is  probable,  that  he  resolved  the  want 
of  success,  on  the  part  of  the  tribe  of  Judah  ia  the 
valley  into  their  unbelief,  they,  having  feelings  akin  to 
the  ten  spies,  when  they  returned  and  told  the  Israelites, 
"  that  the  cities  were  walled,"  &c.  On  this  account, 
Jehovah  was  displeased  with  them,  and  left  them  to 
the  unbelief  and  cowardice  of  their  own  minds,  and  the 
feebleness  of  their  own  arms. 

Owing  to  some  disagreement  with  several  of  the 
members  of  Hamsterley,  who  withdrew  from  his  teach- 
ing, and  his  growing  infirmities,  Mr.  Garner  was  in- 
duced, by  his  friends  and  relatives,  to  retire  from  that 
village,  and  give  way  to  a  more  acceptable  ministry 
and  settled  pastorate.  He  acted  on  this  advice,  and 
retired  to  the  house  of  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  John  Smith,, 
of  Durham,  and  died  there,  at  an  advanced  age. 

1769.— From  1762  to  1769  the  cause  at  Tuthill-stairs 
had,  as  far  as  we  know,  to  depend  for  supplies  on  Mr. 
Fernie  and  the  minister  of  Sunderland.  "Who  the  mi- 
nister of  that  place  then  was,  we  are-  not  informed. 
Mr.  Peden  having  died  young,  it  is  not  at  all  un- 
likely, that  Mr.  Fernie  supplied  at  Sunderland  as 
well  as  Newcastle.  A  chapel  had  either  b'een  pur- 
chased, or  built  for  the  accommodation  of  the  bre- 
thren of  this  town ;  and  Mr.  Fernie  went  to  London 
with  the  case,  aud  preached  at  many  towns,  on  his 
return,  taking  collections  wherever  he  could  obtain 
them.  "When  he  arrived  at  Rochdale,  he  wrote  to 
Mr.  Angus,  at  the  Juniper-Dye-House,  aud  refers,  in 
his  letter,  very  interestingly  to  the  many  places 
that  he  visited.  The  following  is  an  abridgement 
of  it:— 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  197 

"Rochdale,  Oct.  17,1769. 
BROTHER, 

"  Whom,  with  all  the  flock,  I  long  to  see  again,  after  a 
long  absence,  Grace,  and  peace,  and  my  love,  be  with  you  all 
evermore. 

"  I  left  London,  Sepr.  16,  and  came  to  Watford,  17  miles,  and 
preached  there  on  the  17th-  Mr.  Medley  (afterwards  of  Liverpool) 
is  sound  and  lively.  They  made  a  collection  for  the  case,  and 
were  kind  to  me.  From  that  I  went  to  St.  Albans;  thence  to 
Luton;  then  to  Bedford,  where  there  is  a  numerous'  church  of 
Independents,  and  but  two  or  three  Baptists.  It  was  John  Bun- 
yan's;  and  I  was  in  his  pulpit.  Mr.  Symonds,  their  minister,  is  a 
sound  man,  and  friendly,  and  so  were  the  people.  Then  I  came  to 
Colton.  The  minister  there  is  a  lively,  sound,  kind,  and  useful  man 
— church  flourishing.  From  that,  to  Olney,  Bucks,  and  preached 
Lord's  Day,  24tti  j  then  to  Northampton  ;  and  Mr.  Ryland,  [after- 
wards Dr.  E,.,]  and  a  young  minister  and  I  set  out  for  Kettering, 
to  a  minister's  meeting,  and  then  preached  in  the  evening,  and  next 
morning,  and  also  in  the  evening;  then  to  Tosten,  preached 
Lord's  Day,  l*t.  Octr.;  on  Monday,  at  Bosworth;  at  Mousley,  on 
Tuesday;  and  at  Arnsby,  on  Wednesday.  Here  I  was  detained, 
a  week  longer  than  I  intended,  by  Mr.  Hall  [his  old  friend.] 
Then  to  Leicester,  and  preached  on  Friday.  Next  at  Sheeps- 
head,  and  preached  on  the  eighteenth.  Then  to  Hallingham, 
and  preached  on  Wednesday.  Then  16  miles  to  Derby,  and  then 
took  the  stage  and  came  to  Manchester,  56  miles,  where  I  preach- 
ed Lord's  Day,  and  stayed  on  Monday,  and  collected  for  the 
case;  and  so  I  came  here,  this  .day,  12  miles.  Mr.  Cleg  is  a 
good  preacher,  a  man  of  great  parts,  and  has  a  great  silk  trade. 
He  is  very  kind.  I  design  being  at  Mr.  King's,  next  Lord's 
Day,  else  I  cannot  see  him  this  winter.  His  letter  and  recom- 
mendation did  me  much  good  at  London.  I  have  had  a  letter 
from  him,  desiring  me  to  come  that  way,  and  he  says,  many  con- 
verts are  added  to  them.  Thence  I  shall  go  to  Marton,  the  29th; 
and,  if  the  Lord  will,  I  shall  be  with  you,  next  Lord's  Day, 
Novr.  5th.  I  pray  you  give  the  members  notice,  and  let  us  be  at 
the  Lord's  supper  again,  with  joy,  and  in  peace  and  comfort. 
Then,  I  think  of  being  at  Newcastle,  on  the  12th,  which  I  would 
have  you  to  intimate :  and  then,  I  shall  go  to  Sunderland,  and 
discharge  my  trust,  which  I  hope  to  do  faithfully,  to  their  wish. 
Thus  I  devise  my  way,  with  submission  to  the  will  of  God,  who 

R  3 


198  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  OHUECHES 

will  direct  my  steps  according  to  his  will.    My  love  to  Mrs.  An- 
gus and  your  family ;  to  father  and  mother ;  also  to  Silas,  Henry 
and  Margaret,  and  to  all  my  dear  brethren  and  sisters  in  the 
church. 

"  My  love  to  brother  David,  Mr.  Alder,  Philip,  and  all  the 
friends  at  Newcastle." 

Mr.  Fernie  does  not  refer  to  Mr.  Allen,  of  Petticoat- 
lane,  London,  already  referred  to,  as  the  predecessor  of 
Mr.  C.  Hall  there;  but  the  church  at  Newcastle  had 
given  him  a  call  to  be  their  pastor,  which  he  accepted, 
and  came  to  Newcastle  in  the  end  of  the  same  year, 
|  1769.  He  continued  till  February,  1771 ;  and  then  went 

,  to  America,  where  he  died.    During  his  residence  at 

Newcastle,  he  baptized  several ;  two  of  whom  lived  to 
tell  the  tale  for  many  a  day  afterward.  These  were, — 
Mr.  John  Grice,*who  removed  to  London,  and  died  in 
1830:  the  other  was  the  Rev.  Charles  Whitneld,  of 
Hamsterley,  whose  distinguished  career,  as  the  leading 
minister  among  the  Baptists  of  the  North  of  England, 
we  are  now  about  to  review  in  the  period  of  our  history 
that  opens  upon  us.* 

•  We  have  little  from  Mr.  Fernie's  letter  relating  to  the 
churches  of  Lancashire,  &c.  Oakenshaw  was  reckoned  a  branch 
church  of  Bacup,  in  1737.  In  1760,  Mr.  Bamford  was  settled 
over  them  as  pastor,  and  in  1765  the  place  of  meeting  was  trans- 
ferred to  Accrington.  The  church  of  Bingley,  in  Yorkshire,  was 
formed  in  1762,  through  the  agency  of  Mr.  Skirrow  and  his  son- 
in-law,  Mr.  [late  Dr.]  Fawcett,  then  a  member  of  the  church  at 
Bradford.  In  1764,  the  chapel  was  built,  and  Mr.  Butterworth 
settled.  He  was  succeeded  in  1768,  by  Mr.  Dracup,  who  removed 
soon  after  to  Rochdale.  In  1767,  Colne,  in  Lancashire,  had  its 
origin  from  some  of  the  members  of  Barnoldswick :  Mr.  Studdard 
was  their  first  pastor.  Scarborough  had  its  commencement  in 
1767,  likewise.  Mr.  Hague  was  its  first  .pastor,  and  long  held  the 
office  with  much  honour.  History  affirms  that  Sir  J.  Lawson, 
a  baptist,  lived  here,  and  died  in  1665.  He  was  the  friend  of 
General  Harrison. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  199 


PERIOD  FOUETH.-FROM  1770  TO  1821, 


CHAPTER  I. 

State  of  religion  at  this  time. — Burns  the  poet. — Mr.  "Whitfield's 
parentage,  &o. — Conversion. — Baptism. — Call  to  Hamsterley. 
—Mr.  Thomas  Blacket — Tottlebaak — Great  flood  on  the 
Wear. — Mr.  Coultherd's  death. — Newcastle,  Mr.  Fernie. — 
Messrs.  Garthorn  and  Palmer. — Mr.  Harhottle. — Mr.  Whit- 
field's  ordination. — Whitehaven. — Mr.  Cuthbert  Crawford. — 
Association. — Mrs.  Dowsbn  of  Snapegate. — The  Dowsons. — As- 
sociation.— Mr.  Isaac  Slee. — He  leaves  the  church  of  England. 
— At  Hamsterley. —Baptized. — Goes  to  Haworth. — Death. — 

•  Letters.  —  Newcastle.  —  Mr.  Fishwick.  —  Mr.  Pendered.  — 
Messrs.  David  and  Joseph  Kinghom. — Letter  to  Mr.  Dowson. 
American  war,  Mr.  J.  Toward. — Association.— Division  of  the 

church  on  the  Tyne  and  Wear. — Mr.  Ross Mr.  Thomas 

Jopling  and  relatives. — Churches  in  Yorkshire,  &c. 

As  a  large  portion  both  of  civil  and  ecclesiastical 
history  is  included  in  the  biography  of  particular  indi- 
viduals, who  have  left  the  impress  of  their  hearts  and 
intellect  on  their  own  and  succeeding  generations,  so  it 
is  with  the  history  of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  the 
North  of  England.  As  the  care  of  all  the  churches 
came  on  Paul,  so  it  may  be  truly  said,  that  the  care  of 
all  the  churches,  in  his  own  denomination,-  in  the  nor- 
thern counties,  for  nearly  half  a  century,  devolved  on" 
the  shoulders  of  the  Rev.  Charles  Whitfield,  of  Ham- 
sterley, in  the  county  of  Durham^ 


200  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

The  state  of  spiritual  religion  in  the  North  of  Eng- 
land was,  at  the  commencement  of  Mr.  "Whitfield's 
ministry,  but  in  a  very  languid  condition.  There  were 
but  little  of  the  doings  of  either  Dissent  or  Methodism 
in  it,  and  evangelical  religion  was  proclaimed  in  few  of 
the  pulpits  of  the  Establishment;  consequently,  true 
piety  was  very  rare.  In  Newcastle,  under  the  Wesleys, 
Methodism  had  in  some  degree  prospered;  and  there 
were  places  of  worship,  in  connexion  with  the  Wes- 
leyans,  in  all,  or  most,  of  the  large  towns  in  the  north ; 
and  even  some  of  the  smaller  towns  and  villages,  in 
the  coal  and  lead  mining  districts,  had  been  penetrated. 
The  energy  of  that  useful  body  of  Christians  had  been 
exhibited  in  the  north,  as  much,  or  more,  than  in  many, 
if  not  all,  the  other  districts  of  the  kingdom.  The  Pres- 
byterians were,  also,  even  considerably  difrused;  but 
these,  in  a  great  degree,  exhibited  too  much  of  the  apathy 
and  formality,  that,  at  this  period,  were  too  much  felt  in 
Scotland.  Spiritual  religion  was  but  in  a  low  state 
in  the  kirk  itself;  and  the  first  and  best  race  of  Seces- 
sion ministers  had  passed  off  the  stage.  As  such  was 
the  state  of  religion  in  the  mother  country,  so  those 
ministers  and  congregations  springing  from  it,  partici- 
pated, in  some  degree,  in  the  general  character.*  The 
Independents  were  but  few,  and  in  no  way  remarkable 
either  for  piety  or  activity ;  and  the  same  might  be  af- 
firmed of  the  few  churches  composing  the  Baptist  Nor- 
thern Association. 

*  The  New  Light,  or  Socinian  party,  were  very  rampant  in 
the  church  of  Scotland,  at  this  period.  Their  influence  on  the 
popular  mind  must  have -been  exceedingly  baneful,  as  seen  in 
the  following  reference  to  Burns  the  poet,  "  It  can  be  proved  be- 
yond the  power  of  doubt,  by  living  and  unimpeachable  testimony, 
that  Burns  himself,  within  the  last  fortnight  of  his  life,  expressed 
the  deepest  remorse,  for  what  these  men  had  led  him  to  write,  and 
an  anxious  wish  that  he  might  live  a  little  longer  time,  to  make 


m  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  201 

The  time  of  Mr.  Whitfield's  life  may  be  regarded,  in 
a  great  degree,  as  a  transition  period,  especially  among 
the  Dissenters.  For  the  first  twenty-five  years,  religion 
•went  on  in  their  churches  much  in  the  usual  manner, 
except  in  the  difference  arising  from  the  personal 
qualities  of  their  respective  ministers.  In  the  second 
twenty-five  years,  a  new  influence  came  over  the 
whole  religious  world,  evincing  itself  in  the  form  of 
missionary  effort  to  the  heathen  world,  inl  the  first 
instance ;  and  then,  in  the  re-action  of  that  movement, 
in  the  revival  of  the  churches  at  home. 

Mr.  "Whitfield  was  a  native  of  Weardale,  in  the 
county  of  Durham.  He  was  born  in  1748,  at  a  place 
called  East  Black  Dean.  His  parents,  John  and  Ann 
Whitfield,  were  members  of  the  Established  church. 
They  had  six  children,  four  sons  and  two  daughters. 
Charles  was  the  youngest  of  the  sons.  At  the  age  of 
thirteen  he  lost  his  father;  and  was  soon  after  sent  as 
an  apprentice  to  Newcastle,  for  seven  years. 

It  was  during  his  apprenticeship  that  Mr.  Whitfield 
was  brought  under  the  influence  of  religion.  This 
happened  at  one  of  the  visitations  of  Mr.  Wesley  to 
Newcastle.  He  immediately  joined  the  society  of 
Methodists  in  that  town;  and  as  the  native  energies  of 
his  mind  began  early  to  develope  themselves,  he  was 
called  not  only  to  engage  in  prayer,  but  to  exhort;  and 
speedily  alter  became  a  local  preacher.  Towards 
the  end  of  his  apprenticeship,  however,  a  change  took 
place  in  his  sentiments.  He  began  to  lean  towards 

some  attempt  to  repair  the  injury  he  had  done.  And  Gilbert 
Burns, — his  brother— repeatedly  declared  that  the  New  Light 
ministers  were  the  chief  subverters  of  all  regard  for  religion,  in 
his  brother's  mind,  and  that  he  himself  had  not  escaped  uuwound- 
ed,  and  long  retained  the  aching  scar." — Hetherington's  Hist,  of 
Church  of  Scotland,  pp.  226,  227. 


20:2  HISTOBT  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUBCHES 

Galvinistie  views ;  and  on  Mr.  Wesley  hearing  him 
pray  in  an  adjoining  apartment,  he  remarked  to  those 
around  him,  "  Brother  Whitfield  has  offered  up  a  Cal- 
vinistic  prayer."  Mr.  Wesley,  however,  shewed  marked 
attention  to  his  young  friend,  presenting  him  with  some 
volumes  of  his  own  sermons,  and  ordered  him  to  have 
free  access  to  the  chapel  library.  . 

1770. — Mr.  Whitfield  also  changed  his  views,  ahout 
this  time,  on  Baptism ;  and  united  with  the  church  at 
Tuthill-stairs,  as  already  mentioned.  While  preaching 
at  Wolsingham,  on  a  visit  to  his  mother,  he  was 
heard  by  one  of  the  members  of  the  Baptist  church  of 
Hamsterley,  and  was  invited  by  him  to  go  and  preach 
at  that  place.  He  could  not  at  the  time  comply ;  but  on 

receiving  a  letter  from  the  church,  dated  2nd  December, 
1770,  inviting  him  to  spend  a  Sabbath  with  them,  he 
consented,  and  preached  there,  for  the  first  time,  on  the 
last  Sabbath  of  the  same  year  He  preached,  according 
to  his  own  account,  comfortably.  Being  asked,  if  he 
would  accept  a  call,  he  replied  he  would,  if  Providence 
led  the  way.  In  the  month  of  February  following,  he 
received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Silas  Jopling,  stating  the 
removal  of  Mr.  Joshua  Garner,  the  distressed  state  of 
the  church,  and  imploring  his  assistance.*  He  preach- 

*  The  state  of  things  at  Hamsterley,  at  this  time,  is  very 
feelingly  touched  on  in  the  following  letter,  to  Mr.  Isaac  Garner's 
eldest  daughter,  by  Mr.  Thomas  Blacket,  dated  Kimbleton, 
April  4th,  1771. 

"FRIEND  MART?, 

"  I  have  been  no  little  concerned  at  the  distressed  cause  of 
our  Jesus  at  Hamsterley,  especially,  that  there  was  not  only  great 
divisions  and  distractions,  but  the  hellish  spirit  that  seemed  to 
prevail  one  against  another.  I  have  always  desire J  peace,  but 
more  now  than  ever.  How  foolish  is  it  for  God's  people  to  part 
for  trifles  here,  who  expect  to  reign  in  glory  together.  It  melts 
my  heart  and  fills  my  eyes  while  I  write,  to  think  that  God's  dear 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  203; 

ed  at  Cold  Rowley,  on  the  17th  of  the  same  month,  aud 
that  day  week  at  Hiiidley.  The  church  at  Hamsterley, 
then  wrote  to  the  church  at  Newcastle,  for  his  dismis- 
sion. This  was  granted;  and  he  received  a  regular 
call  to  exercise  the  ministry  in  the  church,  through  Mr. 
George  Angus,  of  Styford,  30th  June,  1771.  He  accept- 
ed the  call,  and  continued,  during  his  stay  in  Newcas- 
tle, to  supply  the  northern  and  southern  branches  of  the 
church  alternately  on  the  Lord's  days,  till  h'e  took  up 
his  residence  in  Hamsterley,  which  is  supposed  to  have 
taken  place  during  the  year  1772.  Mr.  J.  Kettleby 
removed  the  same  year  from  Tottlebank. 

lambs  should  tear  one  another  to  pieces.  If  there  may  be  but  a 
harvest  of  souls  brought  home  to  the  great  shepherd,  I  am  not 
uneasy  about  who  are  the  harvest-men.  But  after  all  I  am  sorry 
for  poor  Mr.  Garner,  [Joshua.]  Had  I  been  in  the  country,  I 
should  have  attempted  a  reconciliation— to  put  away  all  heart- 
burning among  friends,  as  he  is  an  old  man  and  nearly  worn  out. 
It  is  most  extraordinary,  that  the  people  should  call  one  from 
Tuthill-stairs,  Newcastle,  or  invite  one  from  under  Mr.  Allen's 
ministry  ;  but  it  is  greatly  to  my  pleasure,  as  I  am  informed,  he 
is  solid  in  the  gospel.  If  it  pleases  the  Lord  to  keep  him  humble, 
he  may  be  a  great  blessing  to  poor  Hamsterley.  My  kind  respects' 
to  him.  [Mr.  "Whittipld.] 

"  Please  tell  Betty  [his  daughter]  to  let  Mr.  Fernie  know  that  I  . 
would  have  him  not  to  neglect  coming  in  time,  from  home  to  Lon- 
don, as  the  friends  there  want  much  to  see  him,  and  he  begins  to 
fail.  I  have  preached  22  times  last  month,  and  the  congregation 
increases.  The  people  in  general  wish  me  to  continue,  and  I  have 
very  good  seasons  to  my  soul.  The  church  has  been  destitute  of  a- 
pastor  seven  years,  daring  which  time  they  have  had  forty  different 
supplies,  and  I  am  now  the  twelfth  candidate  on  trial.  All  this 
arises  from  a  few  Antinomians  who  do  nothing  for  the  support  of 
the  cause,  and  who  want  one  to  speak  all  about  privileges  and  no 
practice^  For  two  months  I  was  admired  by  these  people ;  but  I' 
lost  their  approbation  by  saying,  *  that  man  is  a  rational  creature, 
and  had  a  power  given  to  restrain  enormities,  as  drunkenness,  &c. 
And  the  same  legs  that  could  take  him  to  a  beer-house,  could  take 
him  to  a  place  of  worship.*  This  raised  the  dust,  and  some  of 


204  HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTIST.  CHTTBCHES 

1771.*— It  was  in  one  of  Mr.  Whitfield's  journeys  to 
Hamsterley,  that  the  great  floods. of  the  Tyne  and 
Wear,  on  the  17th  November,  1771,  transpired.  When  he 
came  to  Witton-le^Wear,  the  bridge  over  the  river  was 
swept  away,  and  it  was  unfordable.  He  was  then  only  two 
miles  from  the  end  of  his  journey;  but  there  was  now  no 
resource  but  by  attempting  to  cross  the  Wear,  about 

them  said,  '  they  could  not  do  one  thing.'  There  is  one  Bull,  who 
makes  most  stir,  has  been  out  one  or  two  days  to  hear.  The 
gentlemen  of  the  congregation  and  the  most  part  of  the  church 
are  satisfied. 

"  I  hope,  my  dear  friend,  that  you  consider  the  necessity  of  re- 
generation, and.  the  need  of  precious  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ.  I  put  myself  in  your  father's  place,  when  in  the  world, 
but  now  in  glory,  who  longed  for  your  and  the  rest  of  the  child- 
ren's salvation.  Some  here  say  it  is  not  the  duty  of  a  parent  to  do 
so,  but  I  think  otherwise.  Be  so  kind  as  tell  my  poor  wife  and 
child  not  to  fret.  I  shall  write  to  them  before  I  come  home.  There 
is  nothing  I  long  for  more  than  to  see  my  native  place  again,  and 
my  wife  and  child.  My  kindest  respects  to  them,  to  friend  Hall, 
aud  your  mother  and  family ;  also  Mr.  William  Garthorn ;  John 
Hall,  and  family ;  also  Joseph  Hall ;  James  Dunn,  &c.  My 
dear  friend,  may  God  the  Spirit  be  your  guide,  and  the  word  of 
God  your  compass,  that  you  may  be  preserved  in  Jesus  till  you 
arrive  in  glory,  so  prays  your  friend  and  servant  in  our  great 
Redeemer. 

THOMAS  BLACKET." 

The  descendants*  of  Mr.  Thomas  Blacket.  fill  very  respectable 
stations  in  society,  and  one  of  them,  John  Blacket,  Esqr.,  of  Lon- 
don, has  ever  shown  his  liberality  to  the  friends  and  cause  of  his- 
revered  ancestor,  at  Hamsterley. 

*  Dr.  Gill,  the  eminent  theologian  and  commentator,  successsor 
of  Mr.  Stinton,  son-in-law  and  successor  of  Mr.  Benjamin  Keach, 
died,  14th  October,  1771,  aged  73.  The  doctor  was  the  immedi- 
ate predecessor  of  Dr.  Bippon,  the  author  of  the  Baptist  Register, 
and  the  selection  of  hymns  for  public  worship  in  the  Baptist  deno- 
mination. Dr,  Rippon  finished  his  course,  17th  December,  1836, 
aged  86.  ; 


'IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  205 

four  miles  lower  down,  at  Bishop  Auckland.  In  this 
he  succeeded ;  but  his  circuitous  route  added  about  twelve 
miles  more  to  Ms  journey.  He,  however,  reached  Ham- 
stefley  at  length,  preached  twice,  and  returned  that 
night  to  Newcastle — a  journey  of  upwards  of  seventy 
miles,  by  the  road  he  was  obliged  to  take. 

But  all  this  was  only  in  harmony  with  the  native 
ardour  of  his  mind.  During  his  apprenticeship,  besides 
working  at  bis  business  the  usual  hours,  he  generally 
devoted  five  to  study  every  day;  and  thus  laid  the 
foundation  of  that  knowledge  which  he  so  well  cultivat- 
ed and  extended  in  future  years.  Five  persons  were 
added  in  1 771>  to  the  church  at  Hamsterley. 

1772.— After  Mr.  Allen  left  the  church  in  Tuthill- 
stairs,  Newcastle,  the  people  there  became  divided, 
part  holding  with  Mr.  Fernie,  and  part,  including  Mr. 
C.  Alder  and  Mr.  Henry  Leeshman,  having  embraced 
ideas  somewhat  similar  to  those  of  the  Plymouth  Bre- 
thren of  the  present  day>  that  there  ought  to  be  no  clergy, 
as  they  called  Mr.  Fernie  and  others;  that  the  brethren 
should  administer  the  Lord's  supper  without  elders ;  and 
that  the  kiss  of  charity  was  a  church  ordinance.  T6e 
meeting-house  seems  to  have  been  occupied  by  bo'th 
parties.  On  the  1st  March,  1772,  the  party  opposed  to 
Mr.  Fernie  sent  a  letter  of  accusation  against  him,  to 
the  church  at  Hexham.  The  church  there  sent  a  reply; 
and  Mr.  Fernie^sent  one  also,  in  defence  of  himself. 
This  letter  is  ably  written,  and  in  some  parts  reminds 
us  strongly  of  some  passages  in  Paul's  epistles  to  the 
churches  in  the  first  ages,  when  divisions  had  overtaken 
them,  and  false  accusations  had  been  made  respecting 
himself.  Tbfs  is  the  case,  especially  with  the  following : 
"Say  you;  *D.  F.  should  not  vainly  say,  he  has  been  the 
means- of  gathering  the  church  here.'  But  yourselves 
know  it  is  true,  how  then  can  it  be  a  vain  speech  ?  and 
who  else,  pray  you,  was  the  instrument  in  the  Lord's 

•s 


20&  HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

hands  of  gathering  you?  'No,'  say  you,  'but  we1 
have  been  gathered  by  the  truth/  &c.  Very  well;  then 
it  was  by  the  truth,  as  preached  and  taught  by  me. 
Here  you  do  me  a  piece  of  justice,  for  you  in  effect 
acknowledge  it  was  the  truth  I  preached,  and  that  it  was 
attended  with  power  to  gather  you  into  Christ's  fold,, 
and  that  by  the  same  truth  ye  hope  to  be  preserved. 
If  this  had  been  said  in  love  and  good-will,  it  would 
have  been  a  balance  for  many  of  your  other  hard 
speeches ;  but  that  was  according  to  your  then  judg- 
ment, which  it  seems  now  is  altered.  Then  you  say,, 
'he  cannot  boast  that  he  was  a  father  to  any  of  us.' 
Indeed  I  cannot  boast  much  of  you,  though  I  have 
boasted;  but  the  title  of  father  I  never  assumed.  One 
is  your  father  who  is  in  heaven,  and  it  is  honour  enough 
for  me  to  be  a  nurse  to  cherish  his  children,  to  feed  his 
lambs  and  his  sheep.  And  say  you,  'he  is  no  member 
of  our  church;'  but  you  know,  that  as  a  minister  of 
Christ,  and  a  servant  of  the  church,  I  baptized  you  and 
received  you  into  membership,  and  if  that  was  a  nullity 
for  want  of  authority,  you  are  no  members."  Mr.  F. 
then  enters  on  the  controversy  about  the  Lord's  supper 
and  the  kiss  of  charity,  with  very  considerable  ability 
and  acuteness,  and,  according  to  his  views,  endeavoured 
to  show  that  "the  public  teachers  and  ministers"  of 
Christ,  were  the  proper  administrators  of  the  Lord's 
supper ;  and  that  the  salutation  was  "a  piece  of  Chris- 
tian practice,  but  not  a  church  ordinance."  Mr.  F.  then 
concludes  thus :  "  And  now  brethren,  as  you  exercise  so 
much  charity  for  Dolly,  who  abused  me  so  rudely,  and 
you  handle  her  gently,  and  believe  it  flowed  rather 
from  affection  than  hatred ;  and  as  I  have  given  you  no 
ill  names,  but  animadverted  on  your  amusing  letter, 
your  temper,  and  conduct,  it  may  be  hoped  you  will 
vouchsafe  the  same  charity  to  me,  and  believe  that 
though  I  have  spoke  my  mind  freely  to  you,  yet  it 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        20? 

flows  rather  from  affection,  than  hatred;  and  that  Je- 
hovah the  Spirit  may,  by  the  fire  of  his  word,  burn  up 
all  our  wood,  hay,  and  stubble,  and  instruct,  confirm, 
and  keep  us  in  the  truth,  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  is  the  prayer 
of  your  brother  in  Christ, 

DAYID  FERNIE." 
"Hexham,  March  3(M,  1772." 

Ten  persons  were  added  to  the  united  church,  of  Ham- 
sterley  and  Rowley  this  year.  Mr.  Coultherd,  who,  in 
1722,  had  gone  to  Torver  .and  Hawksheadhill,  after 
the  labours  of  fifty  years,  died,  10th  March,  1772. 
Through  this  long  period  he  served  his  blessed  Ee- 
deemer  with  honour  and  reputation.  The  association, 
from  the  divided  state  of  the  churches,  appears,  at  this 
period,  to  have  been  for  some  time  in  abeyance ;  and, 
probably,  some  of  the  churches  had  become  defunct, 
as  we  never  now  hear  of  those  of  Egr.emont  or  Pon- 
tefract. 

1773. — Nineteen  persons  were  added,  by  Mr.  Whit- 
field,  this  year ;  two  of  whom  were  dismissed,  by  letter, 
from  Mr.  Fernie's  church,  said  to  be  the  church  at  Hex- 
ham.  This  letter  is  dated  Hexham,  May,  1773,  and 
signed  by  David  Fernie  and  "William  Angus.  Mr. 
Michael  Garthorn,  an  able  and  willing  supporter  of  the 
church,  died,  26th  February,  this  year.'  He  was  bap- 
tized in  1723,  and  died,  says  Mr.  Whitfield,  in  the  faith 
of  Jesus.*  Mr.  Thomas  Palmer,  of  Broughton,  died, 

*  Mr.  Garthorn  was  the  representative  of  a  very  ancient  re- 
spectable family  in  Hamsterley  and  neighbourhood.  He  was 
baptized  14th  March,  1723.  Alice  Garthorn— probably  his  mo- 
ther—a member  of  the  church,  died  that  year.  Margaret  Gar- 
thorn,  his  sister,  also  is  inserted  as  a  member  of  the  church  about 
this  time.  His  sister  Anne,  was  married  to  Mr.  Henry  Atkinson. 
Mr.  Garthorn  married  Miss  Anne  Bobinson,  from  Broughton, 
Cumberlandj  who  bore  him  seven  sons:  Michael,  John,  Joseph, 
George,  "William.  Hugh,  and  Kalph.  The  principal  surviving 

.s  2 


208  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHTJBCHES 

20th  April,  this  year,  aged  fifty-five.  He  was  reputed 
-a  good  classical  scholar;  published  "An  Address  to 
TJnbaptized  Believers;"  and  left  behind  him  a  name 
better  than  precious  ointment !  May  all  his  successors 
endeavour  to  do  the  same.*  This  year,  Mr.  Whitfield 
published  his  first  work — a  sermon,  entitled  "The  gra- 
cious Proclamation  of  the  King  of  Zion;  founded  on 
John  vii.  27."  It  is  got  up  in  the  style  of  that  day,  and 
contains  a  body  of  divinity.  Mr.  Thomas  Harbottle, 
afterwards  of  Tottlebank,  was  called  to  the  ministry 
this  year,  by  the  church  at  Hainsterley,  &c.f 

branches  of  this  family,  connected  with  Baptist  churches,  are 
1.  The  family  of  Mr.  Michael  Garthorn,  of  Emshill,  and  2.  The 
'family  of  Mrs.  J.  Jopling,  of  Canada,  both  descended  from  Wil- 
liam, fifth  son  of  Mr.  Michael  Garthorn. 

•  Mr.  Palmer  was  married  at  Hull,  December  6th,  1744,  to 
Miss  Mary  Crowston,  born  in  Lincolnshire,  7th  October,  1726, 
who  bore  him  twelve  children.  Four  of  these,  Elizabeth,  John, 
Mary,  and  Ann,  became  members  of  the  church  at  Brbugtitori^ 
and  were  much  beloved  for  their  piety  and  amiability.  Elizabeth 
became  Mrs.  Archer;  Mary,  Mrs.  Witherington ;  Ann,  Mrs. 
Dalton,  of  Eaglesfield;  and  John  married  Miss  Whitaker,  by 
whom  he  had  one  son,  who  died  young,  and  three  daughters ;  Mrs. 
M.  Garthorn,  Emshill ;  Mrs.  J.  Greenweli,  Hamsterley ;  and 
Mrs.  H.  Dalton,  Eaglesfield.  The  late  Dr.  Dalton,  of  Manches- 
ter, was  connected  with  this  family. 

f  Mr.  Harbottle  was  born  at  Cocklepark,  a  small  village  near 
Morpeth,  29th  September,  1749.  In  the  twentieth  year  of  his  age 
he  was  brought  under  the  influence  of  divine  truth.  Mr.  Joshua 
Garner  preached  occasionally  at  the  house  of  Mr.  George  Dow- 
nie,  with  whom  Mr.  H.  lived,  and.  had  been  useful  to  him. 
He  also  heard  some  other  Baptist  ministers,  who  preached 
there.  Mr.  Allen,  of  Tuthill-stairs,  first  led  him  to  know  the 
way  of  salvation  clearly.  Sometime  after  this,  he  .met  with  Mr. 
Whitfield,  and  told  him  his  views  of  religion  and  its  duties.  Mr. 
Whittield  proposed  him  to  .the  church,  and  he  was  baptized. 
Sometime  after  this  he  was  called  to  speak  in  public,  but  not  liking 
to  do  so,  he  resolved  to  go  to  London  j,  to  improve  himself  in.  his  eny> 


IN  THE  NOBTH.OF  ENGLAND.     ... 

1774. — On  the  20th  February,  this  year;  Mr.  Jona- 
than Angus,  of  Panshields,  died,  aged  ninety-four.  He 
had  been  a  member  of  the  church  about  seventy,  and  a 
deacon  about  fifty  years.  He  was,  says  Mr.  Whitfield, 
a  pious  upright  man.  He  retained  his  memory  to  the 
last,  was  sensible  of  his  approaching  end,  spoke  warm- 
ly, to  all  around  Mm  of  the  Redeemer's  salvation, 
immediately  before  his  departure,  when  he  calmly  fell 
asleep  in  Jesus,  and  willingly  resigned  his;  spirit  into 
the  hands  of  his  faithful  Creator,  to  whose  hand  he 
had  committed  it. 

On  the  27th  May,  Mr.  Whitfield  was  ordained.  Mr. 
Hartley  of  Haworth,  and  Mr.  Crabtree  of  Bradford, 
were  the  officiating  ministers  on  the  occasion.  This 
year  ten  persons  were  added,  and  three  removed  by 
death.  The  church,  including  Hamsterley,  Rowley,  and 
Hindley,  consisted  of  one  hundred  and  three  members. 
Forty-three  had  been  added  since  Mr.  W.  began  his 
labours,  and  twelve  had  died. 

1775.— In  September,  1775,  Mr.  Thomas  Harbottle 
was  sent  to  labour  for  a  month  at  Whitehaven.  The 
church  in  this  place,  after  Mr.  Christopher  Hall  left,  in 
1760,  had  Mr.  John  Huddleston  for  their  minister,  wjio 
left  in  1766 ;  he  was  succeeded  in  1768,  by  Mr.  John 
Knipe,  from  Greenwich,  who  remained  till  1772.  Mr. 
John  Wilson,  a  gifted  member  of  Newcastle-on-Tyne, 
received  an  unanimous  call  to  settle  here.  He  was  or- 
dained 25th  June,  1773.  Messrs.  Fernie  and  Wharton, 
at  the  church's  request,  engaged  in  the -services.  His 
last  record  is  in  April,  1774.  Between  this  time  and 
1780,  there  appears  to  have  been  no  regular  pastorate ; 

ployment.  Visiting  the  church  at  Tuthill -stairs,  before  he  left, 
he  heard  an  exposition  on  part  of  the  book  of  Jonah.  He  felt  con- 
victed that  he  was  acting  the  part  of  Jonah,  in  fleeing  from  the 
service  of  his  Lord.  He  returned,  and  received  the  call  of  the 
church,  to  minister  hi  holy  things  as  above  stated. 

s  3 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

.-and  it  .was  in  this  interval,  that  the  church  sent  to 
Hamsterley  for  a  supply,  and  obtained  Mr.  Harbottle. 
In  the  end  of  the  same  year,  the  church  at  Hawkshead- 
hiir  applied  for  Mr.  Harbottle's  assistance  likewise ;  but 
he  did  not  go  at  that  time.*  Mr.  "Whitfield  published,  this 
year,  his  "  Form  and  Order  of  a  Gospel  Church."  Eight 
persons  were  added  to  the  church  this  year:  One  dis- 
missed to  Graftou-street,  London,  and  four  died;  clear 
increase  three. 

1776— 1777.— A  fast  was  held  this  year,  on  May  4th; 
and  Mr.  Whitfield,  on  14th  July,  with  several  of  the 
brethren,  visited  the  friends  at  Beeth,  in  Yorkshire, 
'when  the  .Lord's  supper  was  administered.  On  the 
19th  July,  Mr.  Cuthbert  Crawford,  Mr.  Whitfield's  as- 
sistant, died,  aged  seventy-six,  being  born  in  1700, 
He  was  brought  under  the  influence  of  the  truth,  by 
the  ministry  of  Messrs.  Carr  and  "Wharton ;  and  in  the 
jear  1750,  was  called  'by  the  church  to  assist  Mr.  Gar- 
;ner.  He  was  not  a  man  of  much  ability,  but  always 
endeavoured  to  do  his  best  to  serve  the  cause,  and  was 
distinguished  as  a  peacemaker.  He  died  tranquilly, 
resting  on  the  work  of  Jesus,  for  the  safety  of  the  guilty. 
Fwe  this"  year  were  received  into  fellowship ;  one  with- 
;  drew,  four  died ;  clear  increase  one .  The  whole  num- 
ber supposed  to  be  one  hundred  and  seven.  In  1777, 
the  church  suffered  a  decrease  of  one.  It  was'  a  trying 
year,  on  account  of  abounding  sin. 

1778. — The  association  was  revived  this  year,  and 
met  at  Broughtori,  16th  and  17th  June."  The  associated 
•churches  were  "Whitehaven,  Broughton,  and  Oulton,  in 
Cumberland ;  Hawksheadhill,  and  Torver,-  Lancashire *, 

*  Mr.  Harbottle  afterwards  went  to  Hawksheadhill,  in  1777- 
He  was  ordained  by  Messrs.  Crabtree  and  Whitfield.  About 
this  time  he  also  married  Hannah,  daughter  of  Mr.  William  Anr 
gus,  of  Summerfield.  He  continued  at  Hawkshead  for  ithree 
years,  and  then  went  to  Tottlehank. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        211 

'Sunderland,  Hamsterley,  &c.,  Durham.  Newcastle, 
Hexham,  and  Martdn,  are  not  mentioned,  probably, 
on  account  of  the  influence  of  Mr.  Fernie  in  these  com- 
munities. Tottlebank  is  not  included,  and  from  this 
time,  we  hear  of  no  more  connexion  of  Bridlington  with 
the  association.  With  the  reason  of  this,  at  present, 
we  are  unacquainted.  The  association  letter,  on  "  the 
sin  of  Adam,"  was  written  by  Mr.  Whitfield.*  The 

.*  On  the  10th  December,  this  year,  an  accident  occured  con- 
nected with  the  cause  at  Hamsterley,  of  a  very  tender  nature. 
Mrs.  Dowson,  wife  of  a  respectable  yeoman,  at  Snapegate,  near 
Hamsterley,  died  in  labour,  and  never  gave  birth  to  the  child* 
The  circumstance  excited  a  great  sensation  in  the  neighbourhood, 
and  led  to  the  publishing  of  Mr.  Whitfield's  sermon  and  funeral 
oration  on  the  occasion.  Both  the  sermon  and  the  oration  are 
worthy  the  talents  of  the  anthor,  and  evinced  that  Mr.  "Whitfield, 
was  not  only  a  man  of  intellectual  energy,  but  of  great  tenderness 
of  soul.  The  subject  of  the  sermon  was  the  case  of  Rachel.  Its 
pathos  and  ability  are  equally  conspicuous.  The  Dowsons,  as  al- 
ready mentioned,  were  a  numerous  family,  and  had  been  connected 
with  the  cause  at  Hamsterley,  from  a  remote  period.  The  writer 
has  made  many  inquiries  of  the  eldest  persons  connected  with  this 
family,  but  never  obtained  distinct  satisfaction  of  their  original 
connexion  with  it.  The  nearest  approximation  he  can  mate,  is 
the  following :  At  the  beginning  of  last  century,  four  brothers  are 
said  to  have  lived;  Thomas,  William,  Edward,  and  George. 
Edward  died  without  issue;  Thomas  and  "William  married  two 
sisters  of  the  name  of  Vickers,  co-heiresses;  Thomas  thus  acquir- 
ed property  lying  south  of  Hamsterley,  called  Brakenhill ;  and  it 
was  probably  he  who  gave  the  site  of  the  first  meeting-house  to 
the  church  in  that  village.  His  son  Thomas  was  a  member  of  the 
church,  who  had  three  sons  and  two  daughters,  Mrs.  Goodburn^ 
of  Middleton,  and  Mrs.  Dowson.  George,  the  fourth  brother, 
lived  at  Sunniside,  near  Wolsingham.  He  had  two  sons ;  Wil- 
liam, at  Brakenhill,  whose  son  Ralph,  at  Bradley  Hall,  Durham, 
was  a  member  of  the  church  at  Wolsingham.  His  other  sons, 
Messrs.  George,  Thomas,  and;  William,  in  Durham  and  Northum- 
berland, are  respectable  farmers;  and  his  daughters,  Mrs.  Towns 
and  Mrs.  Pyburn,  have  children  connected  with  Baptist  churches 
at  the  present  time.  2.  John,  of  Maylandy  who  married  Tamer, 


212  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

preachers  were  Messrs,  Crabtree,  Harbottle,  (who  this 
year,  had  been  called  to  the  charge  of  the  church  at 
Hawksbeadhill,)  Bowser,  and  Whitfield.  Two  persons 
were  this  year,  received  from  the  small  community  at 
Midlam,  Yorkshire,  on  giving  up  all  connexion  with 
Mr.  Fernie.* 

daughter  of  John  Hodgson,  who  probably  is  the  same  whose  name 
is  in  the  list  of  donors  to  the  support  of  the  cause,  in  1698.  Mrs. 
Dowson's  sister  was  married  to  Mr.  Thomas  Blacket,  of  Ham- 
sterley,  frequently  alluded  to ;  and  several  respectable  individuals, 
of  the  name  of  Hodgson,  or  related  to  those  of  that  name,  connect- 
-ed  either  with  Baptist  or  Methodist  societies,  still  live  in  the 
county  of  Durham.  John  Dowson  had  five  sons  ;  Joseph,  John, 
Henry,  William,  and  Thomas,  and  three  daughters ;  Ann,  wife 
of  Mr.  JopHng,  deacon  of  the  church  at  Hamsterley;  Hannah 
Readshaw,  and  Mary  Fawcett.  Some  of  the  descendants  of  these 
are  still  connected  with  the  cause ;  but  many;  are  scattered  to  dif- 
ferent parts  of  England  and  America.  Mr.  John  Dowson's 
mother  was  a  cousin  of  his  father  s,  and  of  the  same  name.  She 
was  married  a  second  time  to  a  person  named  Hall.  It  is  sup- 
posed that  a  brother,  or  near  relative  of  hers,  was  father  to  Mr. 
William  Dowson,  of  Snapegate,  whose  wife  died  as  related  above. 
They  had  several  children  whose  names  are  mentioned,  with  in- 
terest, by  the  old  people  at  Hamsterley :  William,  John,  Henry, 
and  Thomas  who  settled  as  a  farmer,  in  Essex ;  and  Ralph, 
father  to  the  Bev.  Henry  Dowson,  successor  of  Dr.  Steadman,  at 
Bradford.  ,  ' 

•  Mr.  Jonathan  Hall,  of  Monkfield,  died  this  year.  He  is  said 
to  have  been  a  man  of  great  piety,  and  holy  conversation.  He 
lived  beloved,  and  died  lamented  by  all  who  knew  him.  May  his 
posterity,  in  these  important  points,  ever  resemble  him !  His  wife 
Sarah,  who  was  brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth,  by  Mr. 
Isaac  Garner,  died  December  20th,  1792.  She  was  also  an  emi- 
nently pious  woman.  This  year,  1778,  Mr.  Alexander  Harper 
was  called  by  the  church  to  preach  the  gospel.  He  was  dismissed 
to  be  the  pastor  of  the  church,  said  to  meet  at  Hillcliffe  and  Wa'r- 
rington,  in  1780.  The  letter  of  invitation  is  signed  by  Jonathan 
Atherton,  Joseph  Proppel,  John  Monks,  and  George  Rylance. 
This  decides  Hillcliflfe  and  Warringron  to  be  the  same  church. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  213 


association  was  held  in  the  year  1779,  at 
Hamsterley,  on  the  27th  and  28th  days  of  May.  Five 
had  been  added  to  the  church  at  Hamsterley,  &c.,  this 
year;  hut  six  had  died,  and  three  had  been  excluded  ; 
thus  the  cause  was  diminished  by  four.  God  sets  pros'- 
perity  and  adversity  over  against  the  other,  both  in  the 
church  and  in  the  world,  though  sin,  in  one  shape  or 
other,  is  the  grand  cause  of  all  mutation  in  either. 
This  year,  was,  however,  on  the  whole,  a  remarkable 
one,  and  one  never  to  be  forgotten,  in  the  annals  of 
the  church,  arising  from  the  union  with  it  of  good 
Isaac  Slee. 

.  Mr.  Slee  was  a  native  of  Cumberland,  and  was  edu- 
cated for  the  ministry,  in  the  National  Establishment. 
In  1773,  he  was  put  in  possession  of  the  perpetual 
curacy  of  Plumpton,  in  his  native  county.  At  this 
time  he  was  moral  in  his  conduct,  but  knew  nothing  of 
vital  godliness.  lu  the.  year  1776,  the  great  change 
took  place  on  him—  a  change  in  heart—  ^in  dependence 
for  salvation,  and  motives  for  obedience.  He  became  a 
new  creature  in  Christ  Jesus.  He  continued  in  the 
Establishment  about  three  years  after  this  event,  but  in 
the  present  year  left  it,  and  became  a  Dissenter. 

Three  circumstances  conduced  to  this.  The  first 
was  the  abuse  he  received  from  a  clergyman,  who  heard 
him,  after  his  change,  preach  with  great  earnestness  to 
his  people.  The  second  was  his  having  to  give  the  Lord's 
supper  to  a  dying  young  lady,  who,  he  conceived,  knew 
nothing  of  its  meaning  ;  regarding  himself,  thereby,  as 
aparty  in  the  guilt  of  those  who  eat  and  drink  judg- 
ment to  themselves,  not  discerning  the  Lord's  body. 
The  third  reason  for  his  dissent  was,  the  change  which 
had  taken  place  in  his  brother  Daniel,  who  had  gone  to 
•Glasgow  to  study  also  for  the  ministry  in  the  Establish- 
ment. He  had  become  acquainted  in  that  city,  with 
some  Baptists,  who  led  his  attention  to  a  clearer  view  of 


214  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

the  spiritual  nature  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  The  re- 
sult was,  he  joined  with  them,  in  church  fellowship,  and 
gave  up,  henceforward,  all  prospect  of  entering  the 
Establishment.  In  his  correspondence  with  his  brother 
Isaac,  he  told  him  of  the  change,  and  his  happiness  in 
walking  with  God  in  the  ways  of  his  own  appointment. 
Isaac  reflected — was  convinced — and,  soon  after,  re- 
solved to  follow  his  example. 

Mr.  Whitfield  had  frequently  visited  Cumberland, 
and  was  very  popular  with  the  Baptists  there.  As  Mr. 
Slee  was  acquainted  with,  if  not  related  to,  some  of  the 
Baptist  families,*  he  had  occasionally  heard  of  him, 
and  doubtless  of  the  opinion  entertained  of  his  charac- 
ter and  capacity.  He  therefore  resolved  to  go  and 
visit  him  at  Hamsterley ;  and  as  it  is  usual  for  a 
messenger,  from  each  church,  to  attend  the  association, 
and  as  that  meeting  was  to  be  held  this  year,  at  Ham- 
sterley, so,  it  is  probable,  Mr.  Slee  accompanied  the 
Broughton  messenger  thither.  On  the  25th  May,  he 
made  his  first  appearance,  in  a  place  where  his  memory 
is  still  fondly  cherished.  Mr.  Farrer,  the  curate  of 
Hamsterley,  wished  him  to  preach  for  him,  but  he  de- 
clined. His  resolution  to  leave  the  church  was  now 
fully  confirmed. 

On  his  return  home,  he  wrote  to  the  bishop  of  Car- 
lisle, and  told  him  frankly,  but  politely,  that  he  no 
longer  could  eat  the  bread  of  a  community  of  whose 

•  Mr.  Slee's  brother  William  had  married  Mary,  daughter  of 
Mr.  Abraham  Fletcher,  of  Little  Broughton,  an  able  and  self- 
taught  mathematician,  and  a  successful  practitioner  in  botanical 
medicine.  Mr.  Fletcher's  brother  David,  was  a  deacon  of  the- 
Baptist  church,  Broughton,  and  who  had  married  a  daughter  of 
Mr.  Joseph  Robinson,  of  Oulton.  Sarah,  the  sister  of  Messrs. 
A.  and  D.  Fletcher,  was  married  to  a  son  of  the  late  minister  of 
Broughton,  Mr.  Huston,  and  was,  consequently,  mother  of  Mr. 
Samuel  Huston,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Hutton,  at  Broughton,  and 
was  a  Baptist  minister  there  for  many  a  year. 


:      IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.    .  215 

worship  and  discipline  he  could  not  approve,  and  on 
the  first  of  August,  in  the  same  year,  preached  his 
farewell  sermon,  to  a  crowded  and  deeply  affected 
auditory.  In  another  sermon,  after  he  left  the  church, 
he  stated  his  reasons  for  so  doing. 

After  remaining  a  short  time  with  his  relatives,  he 
went  again  to  Hamsterlsy,  on  the  20th  August,  and  was 
haptized,  and  added  to  the  church  there,  the  following 
Lord's  day ;  Mr.  Whitfield  preached  from  Acts  xxii.  16, 
and  a  hymn,  hy  Mr.  Slee,  was  sung  on  the  occasion. 
Mr.  Slee  preached  in  the  evening,  from  Romans  viii. 
28.  This  was  indeed  a  gratifying  day  for  the  Dissenters, 
in  this  little  sequestered  village.  Though  they  had  re- 
ceived some  additions  lately,  they,  yet  had  to  mourn  the 
deaths  that  had  taken  place  in  the  circle  of  the  church, 
and  also  the  affecting  apostacies  that  had  grieved  them 
and  dishonoured  religion.  Mr.  Slee's  sermon  stating 
his  reasons  for  leaving  the  Estahlishment,  and  Mr. 
Whitfield's,  at- his  baptism,  were  now  requested  to  he 
printed.  This  was  complied  with.  Mr.  Slee  was  also 
regularly  called  to  exercise  his  ministry  among  the 
hody  of  Christians  with  whom  he  was  now  united. 

Mr.  Slee  had  not,  as  yet,  turned  his  attention  to  the 
Hebrew  language ;  but  as  Mr.  "Whitfield  was  reckoned 
one  of  the  first  Hebrew  scholars  in  his  own  denomination, 
he  was,  therefore,  well  fitted  to  instruct  his  young 
friend,  though  in  a  great  degree  self-taught  himself. 
On  the  Lord's  day  that  Mr.  Whitfield  went  to  Rowley, 
Mr.  Slee  officiated  for  him,  and  also  on  the  forenoon  of 
every  Sabbath  of  the  month  on  which  the  disciples 
came  together  to  break  bread.  He  occasionally  visited 
his  relatives  in  Cumberland,  and  when  there  preached 
at  Broughton  and  Oulton;  also  at  Hawksheadhill  and 
Tpttlebank,  in  Lancashire.  At  this  latter  place,  the 
church  was  very  desirous  of  having  him  as  their  pas- 
tor, as  they  had  had  no  settled  ministry  since  the 


216  HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

removal  of  Mr:  Kettleby.  They  therefore  sent  a  mes- 
senger to  Hamsterley,  to  induce  the  church  there,  and 
himself,  to  comply  with  their  affectionate  and  unani- 
mous call. 

But  Mr.  Slee  was  destined  to  labour,  and  soon  to  die, 
in  another  quarter.  Mr.  Hartley,  of  Haworth,  was  now 
dying,  and  he  was  extremely  solicitous,  that  the  belov- 
ed people,  to  whom  he  had  so  long  ministered,  should 
enjoy  the  instructions  and  example  of  a  good  and  able 
man,  when  he  was  gone  the  way  of  all  the  earth. 
Hearing  of  Mr.  Slee,  he  was  anxious,  if  possible,  to 
secure  him.  It  providentially  happened,  that  Mr. 
Wbitfield  visited  his  aged  and  dying  friend,  in  Decem- 
ber. To  him  Mr.  Hartley  disclosed  bis  mind,  and 
henceforward  Haworth  had  a  good  advocate. 

Early  in  1780,  Mr.  Slee  visited  Haworth,  and  had  the 
pleasure  of  seeing  Mr.  Hartley  before  he  died.  He 
preached  for  three  Sabbaths,  to  the  church  there,  with 
great  acceptance ;  received  an  unanimous  call  to  be  their 
minister;  and,  carrying  a  letter  with  him  td  that  purport, 
the  church  at  Hamsterley  agreed  to  the  proposal,  and 
he  returned  to  Haworth  in  the  month  of  August. 

It  is  rather  anticipating  the  chronology  of  our  nar- 
rative, but  it  may  be  more  agreeable  to  the  reader, 
here  to  terminate  the  principal  incidents  of  the  remain- 
ing brief  existence  of  Mr-  Slee.  He  was  'ordained  9th 
August,  1781,  Mr.  "Whitfield  giving  him  the  charge 
from  1st  Tim.  iii.  1.  In  December,  1782,  he  married 
Miss  Heaton,  of  Haworth ;  and  in  the  early  part  of 
March,  1783,  he  preached  the  funeral  sermon  of  Mrs. 
Smith,  at  Wainsgate,  seven  miles  from  Haworth.  In 
returning  home  the  same  night,  the  weather  being 
severe,  he  took  cold,  which,  fastening  on  his  chest,  ter- 
minated in  pulmonary  consumption.  He  spent  the 
month  of  June  in  Cumberland,  and  feeling  considerably 
renovated,  he  returned  and  resumed  his  labours ;  but, 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  217 

alas,  for  Haworth  and  the  west  riding  of  Yorkshire, 
these  were  soon  to  cease.  He  preached  his  last  sermon, 
from  Ezekiel  xxxvi.  37;  and,  to  the  deep  regret  of  all 
who  knew  him,  died,  13th  January,  1784.  Mrs.  Slee, 
though  married  again,  did  not  long  survive  him.  The 
memory  of  Mr.  Slee  is  still  fragrant,  both  at  Haworth 
and  Hamsterley,  two  churches  mutually  endeared,  from 
their  connexion  with  the  pious  and  devoted  Isaac 
Slee.*  .  i  . 

•  As  Mr.  Slee  was  the  Samuel  Pearce  of  his  day,  a  few 
sentences  from  his  letters  may  not  be  unacceptable  to  those  who 
have  not  his  memoir.  The  following  evince  his  Christian  heroism 
in  trouble,  and  his  love  to  the  Bible  :•—"  I  have  met  with  some 
heavy  trials  since  you  were  here.  I  was  perplexed,  cast  down, 
and  shattered,  but  not  in  despair.  I  see  still  my  trials  are  only 
beginning ;  but  I  am  fully  determined  to  go  on  in  the  strength  of 
my  Lord,  though  men  and  devils  oppose.  When  providences  seem 
to  run  counter  to  promises,  then  it  is  needful  to  believe  in  hope 
against  hope.  Oh !  how  sweet  is  communion  with  God,  in  a  time 
of  trouble !  Paul  and  Silas  sang  praises  when  their  feet  were  in 
the  stocks.  The  higher  the  water  rose,  the  ark  was  nearer  heaven. 
Oh  precious  Bible !  methinks  it  assumes  new  beauties  every  day, 
and  every  performance  is  flatulent  and  defective  in  comparison 
with  it."— October  17th,  1781. 

To  Mr.  Whitfield,  10th  April,  1782,  he  says,  "  I  cannot  but 
sympathise  with  Mrs.  Garthorn  and  family.  However,  it  affords 
relief,  that  his  (her  husband's)  last  end  was  so  happy,  that  she  bears 
it  with  so  much  Christian  fortitude,  and  that  her  trials  appear  to 
be  sanctified  by  the  Lord,  .whose  way  is  sometimes  in  the  whirl- 
wind. May  the  Lord  be  an  indulgent  husband  to  the  amiable 
widow,  and  in  Him  may  the  dear  fatherless  children  find  that 
mercy  which  alone  can  make  them  happy,  when  sun  and  moon 
shall  be  no  more !  P.S.  my  respects  to  Mrs.  G.,  to  John  Hall, 
that  beloved  modern  Gaius,  and  the  whole  church,"  &c. 

After  his  affliction  had  begun,  Mr.  Slee  thus  writes  to  the 
church  at  Haworth,  from  Kirk  Oswald,  Cumberland,  June  2nd, 
1783: — "  I  cannot  but  be  concerned  for  your  welfare,  from  whom 
I  have  received  so  much  kindness,  and  among  whom  I  have  en- 
joyed so  much  consolation.  I  find  the  confinement  a  trying  pro- 

T 


218  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

1780. — The  church,  at  TuthiU-stairs,  Newcastle,  wag 
at  this  time  in  a  very  languishing  state ;  nine  years  had 
passed  since  Mr.  Allen  left,  and  in  all  probability  Mr. 
Fernie  would  be  the  chief  supply.  The  bush-burning 
however  was  not  consumed.  "When  God  has  purposes 
of  mercy  to  his  children,  he  never  wants  instruments  to 
carry  his  designs  into  effect.  It  was  so  with  Tuthill- 
stairs,  in  the 'year  1780.  A  member  of  Mr.  Beatson's 
church,  Hull, — Richard  Fishwick,  Esq.,  a  name  well 
known  to  the  churches  in  the  north,  in  days  gone  by, — 

vidence;  but  it  is  the  Lord's  doing,  who  does  all  things  well, 
though  at  times  we  find  clouds  and  darkness  are  round  about  him. 
But  a  bright  morning  will  shortly  arise.  I  hope  you  cleave  to 
the  Lord.  Abide  in  Hinu" 

To  Mr.  Crabtree,  of  Bradford,  he  says,  in  the  following  month, 
"  I  am  very  poorly — I  see  it  my  wisdom  to  prepare  for  death. 
Should  the  Lord  raise  me  up  again,  I  shall  be  better  prepared^  to 
live.  The  Lord,  however,  seems  to  intend  me  a  short  passage. 
His  will  be  done." 

To  the  same,  he  says,  August  1st,  "  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  your 
health  and  strength ;  but  the  Lord  has  weakened  my  strength  in 
the  way,  and  I  think  is  purposing  to  cut  me  off  in  the  midst  of  my 
days.  He  is  wiser  than  I,  therefore  I  submit.  He  will  do  me 
good,  therefore  I  rejoice.  I  seem  to  be  moving  to  the  grave,  and 
have  made  my  bed  in  the  dust.  This  world  shrinks  into  nothing, 
but  blessed  be  God  I  have  a  hope  full  of  immortality." 

To  the  same,  September  12ih :— ."  I  am  very  poorly,  and  grow 
gradually  worse ;  yet  a  little  while,  and  I  shall  live  with  Christ." 

His  last  published  letter,  is  the  following,  to  the  same,  Septem- 
ber 30th : — "  I  long  to  be  gone,  but  would  submissively  wait  my 
Father's  time.  When  shall  the  blessed  period  come!  I  desire 
you  would  engage  at  my  funeral,  to  make  some  suitable  remarks 
upon  the  occasion,  as  usual.  And  I  wish  you  would  warmly  re* 
commend  to  the  dear  church,  diligence  in  private  and  public 
prayer,  and  constantly  to  observe  the  monthly  meeting  which  they 
have  appointed,  for  prayer  and  supplication,  and  exhort  them  to 
walk  worthy  of  God.  The  passage  I  could  wish  to  be  improved  by 
you,  is  Job  xix.  25,  '  I  know  that  my  Redeemer  liveth.'  "—See 
the  Memoir  of  Mr.  Sice,  by  Mr.  Whitfield. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  219 

came  to  Newcastle  this  year,  for  the  purpose  of  esta- 
blishing the  Elswick  Lead  "Works.  He  was  born  at 
Hull,  in  1745;  and  became  connected  with  the  church 
there  in  1777,  at  the  age  of  thirty-two;  and  conse- 
quently was  now  in  his  thirty-fifth  year. 

When  Mr.  Fishwiek  came  to  Newcastle,  he  enquired 
at  the  inn  where  he  alighted,  if  there  were  any  Baptists 
in  the  town.  The  waiter  replied,  he  did  not  know  what 
they  were !  On  further  enquiry,  however,  he  heard  of 
Mr.  Caleb  Alder,  to  whom  he  introduced  himself,  and 
from  him  he  learned  that  the  body  was  small,  and  in  a 
low  and  divided  condition.  He  found  that  the  Socinian 
leaven,  to  which  we  have  already  adverted  as  being 
ia  active  operation  at  this  time,  had  been  introduced 
into  this  church,  and  had  produced  a  most  baneful  effect. 
Mr.  Alder  himself,  who,  previously,  had  been  as  a  pil- 
lar in  the  church,  adopted  these  views;  and  being 
separated  with  others,  he  conducted  their  worship, 
assisted  by  his  son-in-law,  Mr.  William  Eobson,  in  a 
room  on  the  North  Shore.  They  subsequently  built  the 
Pandon-bank  chapel;  and  had  Mr.  Edward  Prowitt,  who 
had  been  educated  at  the  Baptist  academy,  in  Bristol, 
for  their  minister. 

TJie  appearance  of  Mr.  Fishwick  among  the  brethren, 
seems  to  have  inspired  them  with  new  life.  He  did 
not,  like  too  many  of  his  wealthy  brethren,  despise 
them  by  going  to  a  Poedobaptist  place  of  worship;  but 
became  with  them  a  co-worker  in  the  kingdom  and  pa- 
tience of  Jesus  Christ ; .  and  a  re-union  with  some  of  the 
old  members,  and  some  belonging  to  Hamsterley,  took 
place,  in  April,  1780.  Mr.  Henry  Dawson  was  the 
minister.  He,  however,  remained  with  them  only  a 
short  time ;  and  went  to  Hawksheadhill,  in  1781. 

In  a  short  time  after  Mr.  Dawson  left,  Mr.  Pender- 
ed  was  invited  to  supply,  and  he  continued  to  do  so, 
with  acceptance,  for  the  following  six  years,  when  he 

T  2 


220  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

was  ordained.  Thus  God's  servants, had  taken  plea- 
sure in  the  stones  of  Zion— a  sure  mark,  that  the  time 
to  favour  her,  yea,  the  set  time,  was  come. 

The  association,  this  year,  1780,  was  held  at  Hawks- 
headhill,  17th  and  18th  May.  Messrs.  Whitfield,  Hut- 
ton,  and  Slee,  preached.  The  circular  letter  by  Mr. 
Whitfield.  The  increase  in  the  churches  only  fouf. 
Mr.  Harbottle  left  Hawksheadhill  this  year,  and  went 
to  Tottlebank.  Mr.  Dawson  succeeded  him. 

1781— 1783.— The  association  in  1781,  was  held  at 
Broughton,  June  6th  and  7th.  Mr.  Isaac  Bobson  was,  in 
March,  this  year,  dismissed  to  the  church  in  Grafton- 
street,  London ;  and  in  1782,  the  annual  meeting  was  held 
at  Hamsterley,  5th  and  6th  June.  Messrs.  Kinghorn,* 
Harbottle,  "Walton,  and  Hutton,  preached.  In  1783,  the 
association  was  held  at  Whitehaven.  No  particulars  are 
mentioned.  Two  were  added  this  year  at  Hamsterley. 

*  This  was  Mr.  David  Kinghorn,  of  Bishop  Burton,  Yorkshire, 
brother-in-law  to  Mr.  Jsaac  Garner,  having  married  Elizabeth, 
youngest  daughter  of  Joseph  Jopling,  of  Satley  and  Elizabeth 
Rippon  his  wife,  sister  of  Sarah,  wife  of  Mr.  Henry  Angus,  of  the 
Dye-House,  father  of  Mr.  William  Angus,  of  the  same  place,  and 
of  Catherine,  wife  of  Mr.  C.  Hall,  brother  of  Mr.  Robert  Hall,  of 
Arnsby.  Consequently,  Mrs.  Kinghorn  and  Mrs.  C.  Hall  were 
first  cousins.  This  being  the  case,  there  was  a  slight  connexion, 
if  no  direct  relationship,  between  the  two  great  antagonists  of  their 
day,  on  the  free  communion  question,  Mr.  Jos.  Kinghorn,  of  Nor- 
wich, son  of  Mr.  D.  Kinghorn,  of  Bishop  Burton,  and  Mr.  Bobert 
Hall,  Junior,  of  Bristol.  Mr.  Hall's  aunt  was  Mr.  Kinghorn's 
second  cousin.  Mr.  Joseph  Kinghorn  was  born,  it  is  supposed,  at 
Newcastle,  in  1766.  His  father  went  to  Bishop  Burton,  in  1770, 
and  Joseph  returned  to  Newcastle,  in  early  life,  to  engage  in  the 
employment  of  Mr.  Fishwick.  He  was  converted  in  his  eighteenth 
year,  and  called  to  preach  the  gospel  the  same  year,  1784.  He 
was  sent,  at  the  expense  of  Mr.  Fishwick,  and  Mr.  Ward,  his 
colleague,  to  Bristol ;  and  at  the  end  of  his  term,  in  1788,  had  for 
his  classical  tutor,  his  future  antagonist,  Mr.  E.  Hall.  He 
settled  in  Norwich,  28th  March,  1789. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  221 

Mr.  Button,  pastor  of  the  church  at  Broughton,  who  had 
succeeded  Mr.  Palmer,  this  year  went  over  to  America, 

The  following  excellent  letter,  was  written  by  Mr.  David 
Kinghorn,  to  Mr.  Henry  Dawson,  who  had  been  a  member  of  the 
church,  at  Bishop  Burton ;  but  dismissed  to  the  church^at  Ham- 
sterley,  in  1781,  and  sent  by  Mr.  Whitfield  to  Hawksheadhill. 
He  had  previously  been  a  school-master  and  a  local  preacher. 

"  Sir,  I  greatly  rejoice  to  hear,  by  Mr.  Ward,  my  son,  and  your- 
self, that  you  had  met  with  so  kind  a  reception  in  the  north,  and 
that  God  seems  to  be  opening  a  door,  not  only  for  your  comfort, 
but  also  for  usefulness,  I  hope,  in  the  church;  both  of  which 
seemed  to  be  shut  against  you  while  you  continued  at  Faugfass ; 
but  as  the  Lord's  way  is  in  the  deep  waters,  and  his  footsteps  are 
not  known  until  his  purposes  break  forth  in  his  providence,  and 
manifest  his  design  to  us,  by  their  accomplishment,  it  is  no 
wonder,  that  we  should  often  think,  that  he  writeth  bitter  things 
against  us,  even  when  he  is  bringing  about  the  greatest  good ;  and 
is  no  proof,  that  because  judgment  is  not  speedily  executed  against 
an  evil  work,  that  it  will  not  be  executed  at  all ;  so  neither  is  it 
a  proof,  that  because  prayer  is  not  immediately  answered,  there- 
fore it  is  not  accepted.  The  time  when,  the  place  where,  and  the 
means  by  which,  God  accomplishes  liis  purposes,  fulfils  his  pro- 
mises, and  grants  our  requests,  are  often  quite  out  of  our  sight. 
This  indeed  makes  the  hand  of  God  more  manifest,  for  if  we  had 
our  desires  fulfilled  in  our  own  way,  and  agreeable  to  our  own 
mind,  in  many  respects,  we  should  be  at  a  loss  to  see  the  hand  of 
God.  To  prevent  which,  and  that  we  may  not  lose  the  comfort, 
nor  himself  the  glory  of  his  own  works,  he  crosses  his  hands  in 
his  providence,  and  withholds  from  us,  in  our  way,  what  he  gives 
in  his  own.  Seeing  that  you  now  enjoy  the  desire  of  your  heart, 
and  are  saying,  that  it  is  good  to  be  here,  you  need  to  remember, 
that  the  greatest  trials  usually  follow  the  sweetest  enjoyments. 
I  do  not  mean  to  damp  your  joy,  nor  deaden  your  comfort ;  but  to 
excite  to  the  most  diligent  watchfulness  and  prayer,  knowing  that 
the  adversary  takes  every  opportunity  to  ensnare,  and,  if  possible, 
to  destroy  us.  I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  whether  you  succeeded  at 
Hawksheadhill  or  not;  and  where  you  fix  your  residence;  and 
what  prospect  you  have  in  the  work  before  you,  should  you  be 
fixed  any  where  else.  I  desire  you  make  no  more  apologies, 
either  for  having  spoken  or  written  freelv.  I  hate  dissimulation, 

T  3 


222  HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

on  the  termination  of  the  revolutionary  war,  begun  in 
1775.*  In  consequence  of  this  war,  some  of  the  small 
farmers,  belonging  to  the  church  at  Hamsterley,  failed ; 
and  were  never  afterwards  able  to  recover  the  position 
in  society  they  had  held  before,  t  Oh !  how  should  men, 
endowed  with  .  common  sense — how  should  patriots, 
lovers  of  their  country — how  should  Christians,  the 
followers  of  the  Prince  of  Peace — above  all,  set  them- 
selves in  opposition  to  that  horrid  and  senseless  mis- 
chief— war. 

and  dread  a  mental  reservation ;  but  love  plain  simple  freedom, 
faithfulness,  and  uprightness.  Nothing  tends  more  to  beget  and 
increase  love,  than  a  free  communication  of  our  hopes  and  fears, 
our  joys  and  sorrows,  to  one  another.  It  weakens  prejudices,  de- 
stroys jealousies,  and  unites  the  hearts  of  real  saints,  one  to 
another.  I  have  found  this  true,  by  experience,  in  some  particu- 
lar instances.  We  join  in  respect  to  you,  Mr.  Whitfield,  and  his 
spouse,  and  to  all  our  relations^  particularly  Thomas  Jopling, 
Thomas  and  Ann  Hall,  and  their  daughters,  &c. ;  and  I  rest  in 
the  fellowship  of  the  gospel,  your  friend  and  brother, 

DAVID  KIN  SHORN." 
"Bishop  Burton,  Dec.  3rd.,  1781." 

A  letter  of  Mr.  Joseph  Kinghorn's,  relative  to  his  first  appear- 
ance in  public  as  a  preacher,  is  inserted  in  the  Baptist  Reporter, 
for  January,  1844. 

*  After  Mr.  Huttou  left,  Mr.  Dowspn  supplied  for  twelve 
months  at  Broughton,  and  then  left.  The  church  was  destitute 
of  a  pastor  for  two  years,  during  which  time  they  did  not  forsake 
the  assembling  of  themselves  together;  but  worship  was  carried 
on  by  one  of  the  deacons,  Mr.  Thomas  Walker,  who  conducted 
the  service  in  the  usual  manner,  and  read  a  sermon  till  Mr.  Hut- 
ton  returned,  in  1786. 

t  This  was  the  case  with  one  good  man,  named  John  To- 
ward. He  had  two  sons,  John  and  Thomas ;  and  five  daughters, 
two  of  whom  were  married  to  two  brothers,  Elizabeth  to  Leonard, 
and  Jane  to  Anthony  Stephenson,  of  Pike  Stone ;  most,  if  not  all 
members,  along  with  their  parents,  of  the  church  at  Hamsterley. 


IN  THE  NOETH  OF  ENGLAND.  223 

* 

1784. — The  association  seems  to  have  again  sunk 
into  a  state  of  abeyance,  this  year.  The  reason  we 
are  not  told ;  but  it  continued  in  this  condition  for  about 
eleven  years,  when  it  awoke  again,  in  the  year  1795. 
One  person  was  baptized  this  year  at  Hamsterley,  and 
was  added  to  Mr.  Jones'  church,  Independent,  Durham. 

It  was  in  the  end  of  this  year,  that  Mr.  W  bitfield 
proposed  a  separation  between  the  two  branches  of  the 
cburchi  He  had  now,  for  thirteen  years,  amidst  great 
inconvenience  and  much  fatiguej  borne  the  burden  of 
preaching  every  alternate  Lord's  day,  at  Hamsterley 
and  Rowley.  He  had  done  so  willingly.  His  youth, 
health,  and  usual  buoyancy  of  spirit,  enabled  him  to  do 
so ;  but  now,  the  state  of  his  family,  and  the  state  of 
Mrs.  "Whitfield's  health,  were  such  as  induced  him  to 
decline  carrying  on  the  united  services  any  longer;  and, 
accordingly,  in  November,  he  preached  on  the  subject, 
from  Titus  i.  5,  to  prepare  the  church,  and  especially 
the  brethren  in  the  north,  for  the  separation  con- 
templated. 

1785. — On  the  2nd  April,  1785,  a  meeting  was  again 
held  at  Rowley,  to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety 
of  giving  a  call  to  Mr.  Ross,  to  take  the  oversight  of 
the  northern  portion  of  the  church,  and  to  take 
steps  to  form  them  into  a  separate  community.  In 
accordance  with  this,  on  the  15th  of  June,  letters  of  dis- 
missicn  were  given  to  twenty-four  persons,  and  liberty 
was  given  to  form  themselves  into  a  distinct  and  inde- 
pendent church.  This  was  accordingly  done.  Mr.  Ross 
became  their  minister,  and  Messrs.  George  Angus  and 
Jonathan  Soppit  deacons.  Tha  southern  division  con- 
sisted of  fifty-two  members,  Mr.  Whitfield  minister, 
and  Messrs.  John  Hall  and  Thomas  Jopling*  deacons. 

*  Mr.  Thomas  Jopling  was  brother  of  Mrs.  Isaac  Garner,  and 
Mrs.  David  Kinghorn,  daughters  of  Mr.  Joseph  Jopling,  Satlejf. 
Their  elder  brother,  Joseph,  had  died  sometime  before,  at  Satley, 


224  HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

It  was  now  one  hundred  and  thirty-three  years  since 
the  church  was  formed  by  Mr.  Tillam,  and  it  had  sur- 
vived all  the  storms  and  calamities  of  that  lengthened 
space  of  time ;  and  consequently  there  must  have  been 
some  deep  emotion  in  the  dissolving  of  such  an  afiection- 
ate  relationship.  We  have  no  account  of  the  last  meet- 
ing of  the  church ;  but  it  must,  we  may  easily  suppose, 
have  been  a  very  touching  one.  To  see  two  elderly 
matrons — twins,  endeared  to  each  other  by  mutual 
birth,  parentage,  and  education,  forced  by  circumstan- 
ces from  each  other,  after  having  become  hoary  in 
years,  must  be  very  affecting.  In  like  manner,  the 
two  portions  of  this  aged  community  must  have  felt 
peculiarly  tenderly,  when,  for  the  last  time,  as  an  united 
church,  they  partook  together  the  emblems  of  the  rati- 
fication of  the  New  Covenant — the  last  supper  of  their 
mutual  Lord  and  Master.  Better  far,  however,  to  se- 
parate thus,  than  when  churches  part  from  each  other 
in  the  spirit  of  bitter  contention.  The  affair  may,  in- 
deed, be  in  the  end,  over-ruled  for  good ;  but,  generally 
speaking,  the  spirit  in  which  such  contentious  are  be- 
gun, carried  on,  and  terminated,  is  more  the  spirit  of 
Satan,  than  of  God — of  pride,  than  of  holiness. 

At  this  time,  there  were  five  churches  connected  with 
the  Baptist  denomination  in  the  North,  namely,  Ham- 
sterley,  Rowley,  and  Sunderland,  in  Durham ;  and  Hex- 
ham  and  Newcastle,  in  Northumberland ;  also  Marton, 
in  Yorkshire ;  together  with  its  offshoot,  Stockton,  in 
Durham.  The  ministers  were,  Messrs.  Whitfield,  Fer- 
nie,  and  Boss.  The  churches  in  the  west  riding  of 
Yorkshire  and  Lancashire  were  also  increasing.*  We 

leaving  two  sons,  Andrew  and  James;  and  two  daughters,  Mary, 
•who  died  young,  and  Elizabeth,  who  was  afterwards  married  to 
Mr.  Joseph  Craggs,  of  Butsfield. 

*  The  church,  at  Rochdale,  Lancashire,  had  its  origin  in  1773. 
It  sprung  out  of  the  occasional  labours  of  Dr.  Fawcett  and  Mr. 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  225- 

now  hasten  to  pursue,  in  our  next  chapter,  the  interest- 
ing career  of  Mr.  Whitfield. 

Hirst.  The  first  pastor  was  Mr.  Abraham  Greenwood.  He  was 
succeeded  by  Mr.  Dracup,  who  was  followed  hy  Mr.  Littlewood, 
in  1786,  who  died  in  ]817.  The  church  atBramley,  Yorkshire, 
had  its  origin  in  1774,  through  the  labours  of  Mr.  Askwith,  who 
became  its  first  pastor,  in  1 777-  He  died  in  1795.  The  church 
at  Farsley  originated  in  the  labours  of  Mr.  Crabtree,  of  Bradford. 
In  1777,  a  chapel  was  erected;  and  a  church  was  formed  in  1780. 
Mr.  William  Roe  was  its  first  pastor.  He  died  in  1795.  The 
church  at  Hebden  Bridge  was  an  offshoot  of  the  church  at  Wains- 
gate,  sixty-nine  of  the  members  of  which,  together  with  Mr. 
[afterwards  Dr.]  Fawcett,  their  pastor,  left  to  fix  a  place  of  wor- 
ship in  a  more  central  situation,  to  accommodate  an  increased 
number  of  hearers.  The  Doctor  died  1817-  The  church  at  Leeds 
had  its  origin  in  1779.  Its  first  pastor  was  Mr.  Thomas  Langdon. 
He  died  in  1824.  The  church  at  Ogden,  in  Lancashire,  was  ah 
offshoot  of  the  church  at  Rochdale.  Mr.  Wade  was  its  first  pas- 
tor. The  church  at  Preston,  in  Lancashire,  originated  also  in 
1783.  Mr.  Benjamin  Davis  was  its  first  pastor ;;  Mr.  Williams 
succeeded  in  1785;  and  Mr.  Goodridge,  from  London,  in  1787. 


226  HISTOBY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 


CHAPTER   II. 

Death  of  Mrs.  Whitfield.— Mr.  Whitfield's  resources.— Goes  to 
Emshill. — Messrs.  Pendered  and  Hntton. — Hamsterley  library. 
— Newcastle  and  Oulton. — Death  of  Wesley,  &c. — Baptist 
Mission. — Mr.  Terry. — Mr.  John  Hall. — His  successors- 
Mr.  Fernie's  death.— Mr.  Skinner. — Mr.  Hassell. — MrsSpence. 
— Sunderland,  Mr.  Greatrix. — North  Shields,  Mr.  Imeary. 
— Messrs.  Haldane. — New  Chapel,  Tuthill-stairs. — Evange- 
lical society. — Mr.  Whitfield  leaves  Emshill. — North  Shields. 
— Messrs.  Short  and  Sheraton. — Mr.  Hassell  leaves. — Mr. 
Short's  death — Mr.  Berry.— Associations.— War  and  Mis- 
sions.— Ford  Forge  and  Wooler. — Yorkshire. — Churches. 

1786. — Mr.  "Whitfield  had  now  been  nearly  fifteen 
years  minister  at  Hamsterley.  He  had  married  soon 
after  he  came,  and  now  had  three  children.  Mrs. 
"Whitfield  was  a  delicate  person,  and  soon  sunk  under 
her  infirmities.  She  died  9th  January,  1785. 

Mr.  Whitfield's  resources,  at  Hamsterley,  were  ever 
slender,  owing  to  the  scantiness  of  the  surrounding 
population,  the  smallness  of  the  congregation — which 
never  would  exceed  two  hundred,  and  for  the  most  part, 
ranged  from  one  hundred  to  a  hundred  and  fifty; — 
and  the  general  poverty  of  the  people.  A  few  of 
these  who  had  property  were  very  considerate  of  his 
wants;  but,  perhaps,  some  others,  not  so  much  so. 
Some  had  large  families,  and  were  unable  to  give 
much;  but,  generally  speaking,  it  happened  to  him 
as  to  others,  according  to  the  old  adage,  where 
there  was  a  will  there  was  a  way.  "Where  there 
was  Christian  principle,  in  connexion  with  industry, 
economy,  and  sympathy  of  disposition,  there  was  al- 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        227 

ways  the  amount  that  betokened  Christian  love;  and 
Mr.  Whitfield  always  regarded  it  as  Paul  did,  and  as 
God  himself  did,  the  liberality  of  the  Philippians — one 
of  the  poor  churches  of  Macedonia,  namely,  as  "  an  odour 
of  a  sweet  smell,  a  sacrifice  acceptable  to  God."  He 
looked  on  their  support  of  him,  as  "fruit  that  would 
abound,"  not  only  to  his,  but  to  their  account,  in  the 
end  of  the  day,  when  the  cup  of  cold  water  given  to  a 
disciple,  in  the  name  of  a  disciple,  shall  in  no  way  lose 
its  reward. 

But  the  salary  of  Mr.  Whitfield,  from  his  people, 
only  about  thirty  pounds,  was  very  inadequate  to  the 
support  of  his  family,  though  himself  a  man  of  great 
economy.  He  opened  a  school,  and  for  some  years  had  a 
few  boarders,  which,  in  a  pecuniary  point  of  view,  assist- 
ed him  materially.  The  school  was  not  only  thus  be- 
neficial to  himself,  but  to  the  neighbourhood,  as  a  kind 
of  education,  through  him,  could  be  supplied,  that  could 
not  be  easily  otherwise  secured  in  such  a  detached 
situation.  Much  has  been  said  and  written  on  the 
salaries  of  ministers,  and  on  their  being  engaged,  or  not 
engaged,  in  secular  callings ;  but  no  absolute  rule  can 
be  given  for  every  case.  The  law  of  Scripture  is, "  The 
Lord  hath  ordained  that  they  that  preach  the  gos- 
pel shall  live  of  the  gospel;"*  but,  as  in  Paul's  case, 
though  all  things  may  be  lawful,  they  may  not,  for  dif- 
ferent and  important  reasons,  be  always  expedient.  On 
this  latter  principle,  in  not  taking  from  the  churches, 
Paul  himself  acted,  under  the  two  following  circum- 
stances :  First,  when  the  people  were  newly  converted 
and  poor,  as  at  Thessalonica;  and  s'econd,  when  they 
were  rich,  and  gave  grudgingly,  as  at  Corinth.  Mr. 
Whitfield  was  guided  in  his  conduct,  in  a  great  degree, 
by  the  same  views. 

It  is  but  proper  in  writing  the  history  of  Dissent,  that 
•  1st  Corinthians  ix.  chapter,  14th  verse. 


228  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUBCHES 

the  working  of  the  voluntary  principle,  in  opposition  to 
the  compulsory  one,  should  be  known  and  distinctly 
understood.  It  should  be  so,  both  by  those  who  oppose 
and  those  who  profess  to  embrace  it,  that  the  former 
party  may  know  the.  thing  as  it  is,  and  the  latter  'be  led 
to  work  it  out  more  scripturally,  and  with  greater  sym- 
pathy and  consistency,  than  has  been  done  by  the 
major  part  of  those  who  profess  it.* 

Mr.  "Whitfield,  in  addition  to  his  salary,  had  a 
house  to  live  in  attached  to  the  chapel,  a  small 
sum  as  interest  from  some  previous  donations  already 
alluded  to,  a  grant  of  five  pounds  from  "Lady  Hew- 
ley's  fund,"  and  about  the  same  sum  from  the  "Baptist 
fund"  in  London.  His  income,  from  all  these  sources, 
and  a  small  annuity  of  his  last  wife,  might  be  some- 
where about  sixty  or  seventy  pounds  annually,  and 
with  this  he  had  to  support  himself  and  family  in 
a  condition  becoming  his  station ;  but  such  were 
his  careful  and  economic  habits,  that  he  was  enabled 
at  that  time,  not  only  to  give  to  all  their  due,  but  he 
had  somewhat  io  spare  to  him  that  needed. 

Such  had  been  Mr.  Whitfield's  general  condition, 
varied  by  circumstances,  since  he  came  to  Hamsterley, 
in  1772  or  1773 ;  but,  at  the  period  of  our  narrative, 

•  With  regard  to  the  above  principles,  it  will,  we  think,  be 
confessed  generally,  that  the  first,  the  compulsory,  leads  to 
tyranny  and  despotic  rule;  and  the  other,  the  voluntary,  generally 
leads  to  liberty  and  the  good  of  the  many.  The  operations  of  the 
Puritans  and  Nonconformists  led  to  the  latter  effects,  as  also  those 
of  the  Wesleyans  in  England,  and  the  Seceders  and  the  Free 
Church  in  Scotland;  and  thus,  the  foundations  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty 'have  been  laid  and  sustained,  by  the  ministers' of  .religion 
throwing  themselves  for  support  on  the  voluntary  offerings  of  those 
who,  from  principle,  with  themselves,  left  the  Anti-christian  tram- 
mels and  doings  of  a  State  Church.  These  blessings  can  alpne 
be  maintained  by  similar  resolution  and  disinterestedness. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  229 

after  being  a  widower  for  about  a  year  and  a  half,  he 
married  Mrs.  Garthorn,  of  Emshill,  in  the  vicinity  of 
Hamsterley.*  This  event  greatly  contributed  to  Mr. 
Whitfield' s  worldly  comfort  and  influence  in  the  neigh- 
bourhood. Owing  to  the  youth  of  Mrs.  "Whitfield's  eldest 
son,  Mr.  "W.  had  the  whole  management  of  the  estate,  so 
that  with  both  his  spiritual  and  temporal  occupations, 
his  hands  were  quite  full.  The  situation  indeed,  suited 
his  temperament,  for  though  very  studious  and  devoted 
by  taste,  as  well  as  duty,  to  his  sacred  employment,  he 
had,  notwithstanding,  a  partiality  for  certain  secular 
pursuits,  being  particularly  fond  of  both  legal  studies 
and  agriculture.  He  was  naturally  formed,  both  by 
the  strength  of  his  mind  and  the  energy  of  his  charac- 
ter, for  taking  the  lead  in  whatever  society  he  was  cast ; 
he  was  now,  therefore,  a  prominent  man  among  the 
yeomanry  and  farmers,  in  the  surrounding  country.  His 
social  disposition,  his  general  intelligence  on  all  sub- 
jects, his  manly  and  portly  appearance,  together  with  the 
general  urbanity  of  his  manners,  tended  to  all  this,  in- 
dependently of  the  weight  which  attached  to  his  minis- 
terial office.  It  may  naturally  be  supposed,  that  the 
combination  of  these  circumstances  would  tend  also  to 

*  Mr.  William  Garthoni,  Mrs.  G.'s  former  husband,  was  the 
fifth  son  of  Mr.  Michael  Garthoni,  of  New  Row,  already  men- 
tioned. He  died  at  Bristol,  November  10,  1781,  and  left  a  family 
of  four  children,  three  of  whom  still  survive  (1844) ;  Mr.  Michael 
Garthorn  of  Emshill,  Mr.  John  of  Snowbank,  and  the  youngest, 
Mrs.  Jopling  of  Canada.  This  latter  affirmed  to  the  writer,  that 
it  was  a  great  blessing  to  the  family  at  Emshill,  when  Providence 
led  Mr.  Whitfield  into  it.  It  may  be  also  mentioned  to  his  ho- 
nour that  he  endeavoured  to  give  the  children  the  best  education, 
and  this  required  nearly  the  whole  resources  of  the  small  estate. 
Also,  when  Mrs.  Whitfield  died,  which  happened  only  nine  years 
after,  he  declined  taking  for  his  life,  the  rent  of  a  property  she 
held  in  her  own  right.  Many  would  have  felt  themselves  justified 
in  acting  otherwise ;  but,  disinterestedly,  he  let  it  immediately  go 
to  her  son. 


230  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST   CHURCHES 

give  him  increased  importance  in  his  own  Denomination. 
It  did  so.  He  was  not  only  highly  respected  by  the 
churches  of  the  Northern  Association,  but  by  all  the 
ministers  and  churches  in  London,  and  the  kingdom 
generally,  that  had  any  acquaintance  of  him. 

After  a  residence  at  Newcastle,  of  nearly  six  years, 
Mr.  Pendered  was  at  length  ordained,  this  year,  1786. 
Messrs.  "Whitfield,  and  Langdon  of  Leeds,  engaged  in 
the  services.  Mr.  Hutton,  about  this  time,  returned 
from  America,  and  again  undertook  the  charge  of  the 
church  at  Broughton. 

1787 — 1790. — During -the  succeeding  years  of  1787, 
1788,  and  1789,  very  little  good  was  done  at  Hamster- 
ley  ;  only  two  were  added  to  the  church.  A  consider- 
able number  of  the  old  members  had  died,  and  their 
places  were  not  filled  up  by  others.  Mr.  Whitfield  was 
blest  with  earthly  comfort,  but  an  equal  measure  of 
spiritual  success  did  not  attend  his  labours.  He  was, 
in  consequence,  greatly. distressed  with  the  thought,  as 
he  himself  expressed  it,  of  religion  dying  around  him. 
On  the  first  day  of  January,  1790,  he  preached  from 
Proverbs  x.  1,  and  proposed  the  formation  of  a  library. 
One  was  accordingly  formed,  which  still  exists,  and  has 
now,  [1844,]  upwards  of  500  volumes.  This  is  one  of  the 
noblest  monuments  of  his  useful  ministry.  The  24th 
April  was  also  devoted  to  prayer,  for  a  revival.  Mr. 
Thomas  Jopling,  one  of  the  deacons,  died  this  year;  and 
Mr.  James  Jopling,  his  nephew,  youngest  son  of  his 
eldest  brother  Joseph,  was  called  to  succeed  him.  This 
year  Mr.  Pendered  left  Newcastle,  having  given  offence 
to  some  of  his  people,  by  preaching  against  pawn-brok- 
ing. He  went  first  to  Hull ;  and  then  to  Royston,  near 
London,  where,  at  an  advanced  age,  he  died.  He  was  a 
man  of  cultivated  and  superior  mind.  Mr.  Boss,  of 
Eowley,  also  left  this  year.  During  the  five  years  he 
had  been  settled,  he  had  enjoyed  but  small  =  success. 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.  231 

Several  interesting    additions  were,  however,  made, 
both  from  the  Angus  family  and  others.    Mr.  "Wharton, 
of  Oulton,  died  also  about  this  time. 
1791 — 1793. — *The  period  included  within  this  year, 

*  Although  we  are  Baptists,  and  attached,  from  principle,  to  our 
own  denomination,  we  yet  delight  in  good  done  to  Christianity 
from  whatever  quarter  it  springs.  We  cannot,  then,  forhear  notic- 
ing the  deaths  of  four  or  five  remarkable  individuals,  who,  about 
this  time,  were  called  home  to  their  everlasting  *  inheritance. 
These  are,  Mr.  Charles  Wesley,  who  died  March  29,  1788,  aged 
80;  Mr.  John  Wesley,  his  brother,  died  2nd  March,  1791,  aged  88 ; 
and  the  Countess  of  Huntingdon,  who  died  June  17, 1791,  aged  84. 
To  these  three  individuals,  Britain  and  the  world  are  much  in- 
debted. Their  great  and  distinguished  friend  and  coadjutor,  Mr. 
George  Whitfield,  the  great  evangelist  of  modern  times  and  of  all 
parties,  had  died  twenty  years  before  them,  at  Newbury  Port, 
near  Boston,  in  America,  September  30th,  1770,  aged  56.  It  was 
also,  in  the  year  1791,  that  Dr.  Caleb  Evans,  of  Bristol  College, 
tutor  of  Mr.  Robert  Hall,  Mr.  Joseph  Kinghorn,  Mr.  Samuel 
Pearce,  Dr.  Steadman,  and  many  others,  died  9th  August, 
aged  54.  These  may  truly  be  said,  to  be  the  precursors  of  the 
glorious  missionary  era,  which  had  its  commencement  immediate- 
ly on  their  exit. 

It  was  in  the  year  1 792,  that  the  Baptist  Missionary  Society 
was  formed,  2nd  October.  In  1784,  a  prayer  meeting,  by  the 
Northampton  Association  of  Baptist  Ministers,  was  appointed  to 
be  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  every  month,  for  the  extension  of 
Christ's  kingdom  in  the  world.  Mr.  Carey  was  ordained,  at 
Moulton,  in  1787.  Previous  to  this,  he  had  had  his  mind  much 
set  on  the  religious  state  of  the  world.  He  had  also  an  extraor- 
dinary aptitude  in  acquiring  languages,  and  though  gaining  bread 
for  himself  and  family  as  a  shoe-maker,  he  acquired  a  consider- 
able knowledge  of  Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew.  In  1790,  he  visited 
Mr.  Pearee,  of  Birmingham,  whose  soul  had  lately  been  embued, 
as  he  himself  termed  it,  by  Dr.  Coke,  with  a  passion  for  missions. 
They  were  kindred  spirits.  In  1791,  two  sermons  were  preached 
— one  by  Mr.  Sutcliff,  from  1st  Kings  xix.  10;  and  the  other  by 
Mr.  Fuller,  from  Haggai  i.  2.  Mr.  Carey  was  requested,  at  this 
meeting,  to  publish  his  "  Enquiry  into  the  state  of  the  Hea- 
then}"  &c.  At  the  annual  association  of  1792,  Mr.  Carey 

U  2 


232  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

was  one  of  great  spiritual  increase  at  Hamsterley. 
^Prayer  had  been  earnestly  presented  for  a  revival,  and 
it  came.  In  1791,  six  persons  were  baptized.  In  1792, 
Mr.  Whitfield  went  to  Midlam,  Yorkshire,  where  Mr. 
Fernie  had  formed  a  small  church  of  about  twelve  or 
fourteen  persons.  Mr.  Fernie,  having  for  a  considerable 
time,  become  infirm,  Mr.  "Whitfield  had  during  that 
period  visited  them  twice  a  year.  The  present  was  one 
of  his  usual  visitations.  He  preached  at  Mr.  Joseph 
Robson's,  "Woodhall,  from  Matthew  xxviii.  19,  20.  Mr. 
William  Terry,  a  watch-maker  from  Bedale,  with 
some  of  his  friends,  heard  him,  and  were  convinced  of 
the  truth  of  Believers'  Baptism.  Mr.  Terry,  in  his 
youth,  had  been  a  ring-leader  in  iniquity,  being  much 
addicted  to  cock-fighting  and  its  kindred  vices;  but 
he  had  been  brought  under  the  influence  of  religion 
by  the  Methodists.  By  reading  the  Scriptures  by 
himself,  carefully,  he  was  convinced  that  the  Armi- 
nian  views  of  the  Methodists  were  not  in  accordance 
with  Divine  truth;  and  having  stated  the  matter 
to  his  pious  friends,  only  one  or  two  embraced  his 
opinions.  They  who  did,  and  himself,  met  together 
privately,  on  the  Lord's  day,  for  conference  and  worship, 
and  in  course  of  time  their  number  increased.  Mr. 
Terry  began  to  explain  the  Scriptures  to  them,  to  the 
best  of  Ms  ability  and  knowledge.  He  was  invited  to 

preached  from  Isaiah  iv.  2,  3,  "  Enlarge  the  place  of  thy  tent," 
&c.  His  theme — expect  great  things — attempt  great  things.  Jt 
was  resolved,  that  at  the  next  meeting,  they  would  form  a  Mis- 
sionary Society.  This  took  place  as  stated  above.  The  first 
Collection  was  £13  2s.  6d.  The  first  Committee  were  John 
Rylarid,  Reynold  Hogg,  Treasurer;  William  Carey,  John  Sut- 
cliff,  and  Andrew  Fuller,  Secretary.  Mr.  Pearce  was  added, 
31st  October,  in  the  same  year.  He  had  collected  £70  towards 
the  mission  fund,  at  Birmingham.  Mr.  Carey  and  family,  with 
Mr.  Thomas,  embarked  for  India,  June  13,  1793;  and  word  of 
their  arrival  was  received  at  home,  July  29,  1794. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        233 

speak  at  -Snape  and  Mash  am,  where  his  parents  and 
others  became  the  fruit  of  his  labours.  He  afterwards 
became  acquainted  with  the  few  Baptists  living  at 
Woodhall,  Midlam,  &c. ;  and  this  led  to  his  hearing 
Mr.  Whitfield  at  the  period  referred  to. 

Mr.  Terry  came  the  day  after  the  meeting,  and  re- 
quested to  be  baptized ;  but  having,  as  yet,  but  little 
acquaintance  with  him,  Mr.  Whitfield  thought  it  might 
be  more  prudent  to  delay  for  the  present;  suggesting 
;the  -idea  of  a  little  further  research,  relative  to  the 
-principles  of  Nonconformity,  &c. ;  and  after  his  mind 
was  fully  established,  ;he;  might  come  to  Hamsterley,  be 
baptized,  and  join  the  church  there. 

On  the  3rd  January,  1793,  Mr.  Terry,  and  one  of  his 
friends,  came  to  Hamsterley,  and  were  baptized  on  the 
•5th,  and  received  into  fellowship  with  the  church. 
Mr.  Terry  was  requested  to  speak  in  the  evening.  He 
.did  so,  was  approved,  and  appointed  to  minister  among 
his  friends  at  home.  On  another  visit  of  Mr  Whitfield, 
eight  more  were  baptized,  and  being  now  eighteen  in 
all,  the  people  requested  to  be  formed  into  a  church. 
On  the  29th  .August,  they  were  united  as  a  Christian 
society,  Mr.  "Whitfield  preaching  from  Ephesians  ii.  21, 
22;  and  Mr.  •  Cook,  from  Matthew  xi.  6.  On  the  13th 
November,  Mr.  Terry  was  ordained,  and  commenced 
a  distinguished  career  in  preaching,  at  Bedale — his 
usual  residence — Snape,  Masham,  Crakehall,  together 
with  a  number  of  other  villages  in  the  neighbourhood. 

Mr.  John  Hall,  one  of  the  deacons  of  the  church  at 
Hamsterley,  died  30th  April,  this  year.  He  was 
baptized  >by  Mr.  Carr,  in  1732,  in  ;his  twentieth  year, 
and  was  called  to  the  deaconate,  in  1760.  He  was  a 
man  eminent  for  piety,  and  the  possession  of  a  cheerful 
and  contented  disposition.  When  anything  of  an  un- 
pleasant nature  occurred,  involving  .either  trouble  or 

loss,  his  uniform  declaration  was,  "  It  might  have  been 

U3 


234  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

•worse."  He  was  not  a  man  of  great  capacity,  but  by 
his  holy  conduct,  his  peaceable  .demeanour,  and  his 
ardent,  yet  artless  prayers,  he  became  extremely  useful 
while  alive,  and  his  memory  is  still  fragrant  in  the 
recollection  of  all  who  personally  knew  him,  or  heard  of 
his  truly  Christian  worth.  His  wife,  daughter  of  Mr. 
Angus,  of  Panshields,  died  on  the  28th  of  May  fol- 
lowing ;  and  on  the  6th  of  July,  Messrs.  James  Good- 
burn  anc\  Christopher  .Spence  were  ordained  as  deacons. 
In  1.792,  sixteen  persons  were  added  to  the  church,  and 
itwenty-six  .by  August,  1793.  At  that  time  it  was  eighty- 
jiine  in  all;  but  one  had  died,  and  eighteen  having,  been 
dismissed  to  Bedale,  it  was  then  only  seventy. 

1794 — 1795. — In  each  of  these  years,  eight  were 
added.  On  the  20th  February,  1795,  Mrs.  Whitfield 
died,  aged  56.  She  was  peaceable,  kind-hearted,  and 
hospitable.  Mr.  Whitfield's  mother  died  nearly  at  the 
same  time.  Mr.  Thomas  Blacket  was  dismissed  this 
year,  from  Stockton,  May  24;*  and  Mr.  Samuel  Ruston, 
grandson  of  Mr.  Ralph  Ruston,  from  Broughton,  was 
baptized,  June  28th,  and  called  to  the  ministry,  No- 

*  The  letter  mentions,  that  the  church  had  been  under  the  care 
,of  their  highly  esteemed  brother,  David  Feruie,  now  deceased. 
It  is  signed  by  Val.  Short,  John  Fernie,  Robert  Wright,  Allan 

Cummins,  Ralph  Elliot,  and  D Bryon.    Mr.  Fernie  died  in 

December,  1789,  aged  89.  His  grandson,  the  Rev.  John  Fernie, 
writes  as  follows  respecting  his  decease : — "  I  was  only  about 
seven  years  of  age  when  he  died.  He  lived  with  my  father  some 
years  before  his  death.  I  was  a  favourite  child,  and  spent  a  good 
deal  of  time  in  his  room.  His  last  moments  are  quite  fresh  in  my 
recollection.  I  was  in  the  room  with  him,  and  he  had  just  finish- 
ed family  prayer,  when  he  requested  my  father  and  mother  to  lead 
him  to  bed.  Having  reached  it,  he  threw  himself  back,  stretched 
out  his  hand,  said  farewell,  and  expired  without  a  groan."  Thus 
terminated  the  long  and  useful  career  of  a  man  who  had  been 
much  vilified  during  his  life,  and  has  been  so  also  by  some  since 
his  death ;  but  who— making  all  due  allowance  for  the  infirmities 
«f  human  nature— appears  to  have  been  a  man  of  piety,  laleiit» 


IN  THE- NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  235 

vember  8th,  the  same  year.  This  year,  also,  on  the 
.25th  and  26th  August,  the  Northern  Association  was 
resuscitated.  It  included  three  churches :  Newcastle, 
Rowley,  and  Hamsterley.  Messrs.  Crabtree,  of  Brad- 
ford, Blacket,  Rowland,  Angus,  and  Shaw,*  took  part 
in  the  services  of  this  association. 

Mr.  Skinner,  of  Newcastle,  also  died  this  year.  He 
.had  been  preceded  at  Tuthill-stairs,  by  Mr.  Hartley, 
formerly  of  Bingley,  in  1791,  who  continued  for  one 
year,  and  was  then  succeeded  by  the  justly-celebrated 
Mr.  John  Foster,  author  of  the  Essays  on  Decision  of 
.Character,  &c.,  who  did  not  remain  long;  and  in  the 
close  of  1792,  Mr.  Skinner  arrived  from  Towcester,  and 
then  commenced  his  ministry  at  Tuthill-stairs  chapel. 
From  his  coming;  he  had  been  involved  in  much  trouble 
in  the  church,  which  greatly  prevented  his  usefulness. 
He  was  of  a  timid  disposition,  and  consequently  ill  adapt- 
ed to  repress  the  rude  and  forward  characters  that  more 
or  less  are  to  be  found  in  all  associations,  particularly 
those  that  are  founded  on  voluntary  principles.  In  the 
early  part  of  the  year  1795,  Mrs.  Skinner  was  affected 
by  a  febrile  disorder,  but  recovered.  Her  husband  fell 
under  its  influence  about  a  fortnight  -after.  In  the  first 

and  energy.  He  was  known  to  several  of  the  most  distinguished 
men  of  his  own  day,  and  respected  by  them;  as  time  also  rolls  on, 
his  name,  by  his  own  denomination,  at  least,  will  ever  be  associ- 
ated with  the  honoured  name  of  the  author  of  "Help  to  Zion's 
Travellers,"  Robert  Hall,  of  Arnsby;  and  with  that  also  of  his 
still  more  celebrated  son,  Robert  Hall,  of  Cambridge,  Leicester, 
and  Bristol ;  together  with  the  more  lowly,  but  still  interesting 
youthful  names  of  James  Rutherford  and  William  Peden. 

*  Mr.  Shaw  was  brother-in-law  to  Mr.  Ward,  the  friend  of 
Mr.  Fishwiok,  and  father  of  Thomas  Shaw,  Esq.,  of  Newcastle. 
He  was  an  occasional  preacher  at  Tuthill-stairs,  and  some  of  the 
people  said,  they  preferred  him,  as  a  preacher,  to  the  distin- 
guished essayist  Mr.  John  Foster. 


236  HISTORY  OF  THE  -BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

instance,  he  so  far  recovered  as  to  be  able  to  'preach  a 
sermon,  for  the  Baptist  Mission,  on  rthe  following  Lord's 
day,  and  also  to  give  a  short  exhortation,  in  the'vestrjj 
on  the  Tuesday  succeeding;  'but  cold  having -seized 
him,  the  fever  .returned  with  increased  violence,  ^and 
terminated  his  useful  life,  February  dl-th,  -1795. 

Mr.  Skinner  was  educated -at  Bristol  academy, -under 
Dr.  Caleb  'Evans,  and  became  the  first  pastor '  of -the 
church  at  Clepstow,-in  "Northamptonshire,  where 'he  re- 
mained from  1779  to  1783,  «,nd  'baptized  «sixty -persons. 
He  removed  to  Towcester,  in  the 'same '-county,  where 
he  baptized  thirty  individuals,  and  removed  to  New- 
castle, in  the  end  of  1792.  He  was  interred  in  "the 
Dissenters' burying  ground,  near  Newcastle,  called  the 
Ballast  .Hills,  -where  the  people  of  his  charge  erected  a 
tomb-stone,  commemorative  of  his  .worth  and  !  their 
attachment  to  him. 

Mr.  Rowland,  who  left  Rowley,  this  year,  supplied 
the: church  at  Newcastle,  for  some  time  after  Mr.  -Skin- 
ner's death .  Mr.  James  Angus,  a  'member  of  the  church 
at  Whitehaven,  and  a  student  at  ^Bristol  college,  -sup- 
plied some  time  at  Rowley, this  year;  but  was-succeed- 
ed  by  Mr.  Hebron,  then  an  Independent,  in  ^connexion 
with  the  church  in  the  Postern,  Newcastle,  but  after- 
wards a  Baptist. 

1796. — -The  association  was  held  this  year,  at  "New- 
castle, 16th,  17th,  and  18th  May.  Messrs.  "WMtfield, 
Rowland,  and  Jones,  (Independent,)  of  Durham,  .engaged 
in  the  services.  A  few  members  had  been  added  to  the 
churches;  two  of  these  at  Hamsterley.  The  state  of 
religion  was  low.  Mr.  Whitfield  was  the  orily  pastor 
in  the  association.  A  day  for  fasting  and  prayer  was 
appointed,  and  the  churches  were  recommended  to 
cultivate  their  gifts,  and  endeavour  in  their  different 
localities,  to  spread  the  gospel.  At  Newcastle,  when 
Mr.  Rowland  left,  Mr.  Tate  supplied  for  some  time; 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        237 

and  at  length,  in  November,  a  minister  arrived,  who 
became  one  of  the  most  useful  the  church  there  had 
ever  enjoyed.  This  was  Mr.  Thomas  Hassell,  from 
Plymouth,  recommended  by  Mr.  Isaiah  Birt,  minister 
of  that  place.  Under  him  the  church  greatly  revived, 
a  considerable  number  being  baptized  during  the  first 
year  of  his  ministerial  labours. 

1797. — The  association  was,  this  year,  held  at  Cold 
Rowley.  Messrs.  Whitfield,  Ruston,  Jones,  Hassell, 
and  Hebron  preached.  One  only  was  added  to  the 
church,  at  Hamsterley.  But  who  hath  despised  the 
day  of  small  things?  "God  does  not,"  said  Mr.  Ful- 
ler, at  one  time,  "  and  who  dare  ?"  Unity  is  sometimes 
infinitely  preferable  to  plurality,  Many  persons  have 
been  added  to  churches,  many  to  the  church  at  Ham- 
sterley ;  but  there  have  been  few,  in  almost  any  church, 
more  pious,  more  consistent,  and  more  useful,  than  the 
one  added  this  year,  the  wife  of  one  of  the  deacons, 
Mrs.  Margaret  Spence.  She  died  in  1831.  Her  me- 
mory is  still  fragrant.  Four  had  died,  and  one  had  been 
excluded;  the  whole  number,  now  under  Mr.  Whit- 
field's  care,  being  seventy-eight. 

At  Sunderland,  this  year,  the  Baptist  cause  had 
revived.  There  were  Baptists,  if  not  a  church,  in  this 
town,  during  the  protectorate  of  Cromwell.  A  relative 
of  General  Lilburne's  lived  here,  and  was  mayor  of  the 
town,  as  we  have  seen,  page  10,  and  also  a  member  of 
parliament  for  the  county  of  Durham,  in  1654,  along- 
with  the  General.  In  1663,  he  was  accused  of  connex- 
ion with  the  Anabaptist  plot,  at  that  time,  along  with 
Mr.  Richard  Johnson  and  Mr.  Foster,  of  the  same  place. 
As  we  have  seen  also,  Mr.  William  Peden,  after  his 
baptism,  in  1752,  by  Mr.  Fernie,  was  placed  here,  as 
minister.  He  died  young ;  but  Mr.  Bowser  was  minis- 
ter here,  probably  from  about  1762  to  1780,  when  h& 


238  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

went  to  Whitehaven.  In  what  state  the  cause  was, 
during  the  ensuing  seventeen  years,  we  have  not  the 
means  of  knowing ;  hut  this  year,  a  new  church  was 
formed,  prohably  with  some  of  the  old  materials  and 
others,  and  Mr.  Biggs  was  ordained  pastor.  The  servi- 
ces were  conducted  by  Messrs.  Whitfield  and  Hassell.* 
.A  new  cause  was  begun  about  this  time,  in  North 
Shields.  The  circumstances  connected  with  this  are 
somewhat  interesting.  A  young  man  was  passing 
through  Newcastle,  on  his  road  to  London,  to  engage 
in  missionary  work,  under  the  auspices  of  the  London 
Missionary  Society.  At  Newcastle,  he  attended  at 
Tuthill-stairs  chapel,  and  saw  a  professed  disciple  of 
our  Lord  baptized.  He  was  struck  with  the  primitive 
mode  of  the  administration,  but  did  not  make  known  his 
feelings  to  any  one.  He  proceeded  on  his  intended  jour- 
ney, and  arrived  at  the  metropolis.  Before,  however, 
attempting  to  go  abroad,  he  felt  disposed  to  scrutinize, 
in  a  more  searching  manner  than  he  had  done,  his 

*  The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  association  letters  of  this 
church,  in  1779:  "We  have  chosen  our  beloved  pastor,  Mr. 
Bowser,  as  one  faithful  in  the  Lord ;  and  our  brother,  "William 
Lamb,  as  our  messenger.  Our  number  at  present  is  fourteen,  and 
in  general  poor.  Since  last  association  one  member  has  been 
added  to  us.  We  are  low  in  temporal  things,  and  able  to  do  little 
for  our  beloved  pastor,  &c.  In  spiritual  things  we  have  reason 
to  complain  of  our  deadness,"  &c.  The  letter  is  signed  by 
John  Bowser,  pastor,  George  Nicholson,  Hugh  Cock,  William 
Harwood,  Thomas  Robinson,  and  William  Lamb.  There  is  a 
tradition,  that  the  late  Mr.  Greatrix,  of  Hetton,  after  he  had 
served  his  apprenticeship,  as  a  tailor,  with  Mr.  George  Nichol- 
son, who  had  married  the  widow  of  Mr.  Skinner,  of  Tuthill-stairs, 
Newcastle,  went  from  town  to  town  through  England,  supporting 
himself  as  a  journeyman,  and  begging  in  each  town  for  a  new 
meeting-house,  in  Sunderland;  and  it  was  through  his  labours  in 
this  way,  together  with  those  of  Messrs.  Nicholson  and  Biggs,  that 
the  present  chapel  of  Sans-street  was  erected.  There  are  some 
worse  examples  of  apostolic  succession  than  that  of  Mr.  Greatrix. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  239 

views  on  Baptism.    The  result  was,  lie  was  determined 
to  be  immersed  as  a  believer.    In  pursuit  of  this,  he 
resolved  to  return  to  Newcastle,  be  baptized  by  the 
minister  who  had  convinced  him  of  his  error,  and  ask 
his  advice  with  regard  to  future  usefulness.    This  was 
done  without  delay,  and  Mr.  Hassell  baptized  him.   As 
there  were  some  of  the  members  of  Tuthill-stairs  re- 
siding at  North  and  South  Shields,  it  was  resolved  to 
send  their  young  friend  to  North  Shields,  to  preach  the 
gospel  there  and  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  he  commenc- 
ed preaching  in  a  small  chapel,  in  Walker-place.    The 
Lord  smiled  on  the  infant  attempt,  and  thus  the  Baptist 
church  at  North  Shields  had  its  commencement.    The 
young  man  above  mentioned,  was  Mr.  Robert  Imeary, 
the  first  pastor  of  the  church.    He  was  a  native  of  Aber- 
deenshire,  in  Scotland,  and  had  come  under  the  influ- 
ence of  the  religious  revival,  which,  at  that  time,  took 
place  in  that  country,  under  the  guidance  of  those 
distinguished  men,  Messrs.  Robert  and  James  Alex- 
ander Haldane  and  their  noted  assistants.* 

•  Messrs.  B.  and  J.  A.  Haldane  were  descended  from  the 
Haldanes  of  Gleneagles,  Perthshire,  from  the  ancient  Earls  of 
Lennox,  whose  property  Ihey  inherited  along  with  the  royal 
house  of  Darnley  and  the  Napiers  of  Merchiston.  Their  father 
was  James  Haldane,  Esq.,  of  Airthrey,  and  their  mother  was 
sister  to  Admiral'  Lord  Duncan.  Both  parents  died  while  they 
were  young.  Their  mother  was  pious,  and  was  accustomed  after 
they  were  in  hed,  to  pray  at  the  bed-side,  that  God  would  specially 
bless  her  boys  about  to  become  orphans.  This  they  never  forgot. 
They  both  entered  on  a  sea-faring  life — Robert,  into  the  royal  navy, 
under  the  direction  of  his  uncle,  the  hero  of  Camperdown.  In 
this  service  he  greatly  distinguished  himself,  till  the  peace  of 
1783.  James  was  a  captain  in  the  service  of  the  East  India 
Company.  In  1794,  Mr.  Robert's  mind  underwent  a  change  on 
the  subject  of  religion,  and  about  the  same  time  Mr.  James  ex- 
perienced the  power  of  godliness  likewise.  They  now  devoted 
themselves  and  all  they  had  to  God.  Mr.  Robert  wished  to  go  to 
India  with  several  eminent  coadjutors;  but  was  prevented,  after 


240  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

1798. — On  the  19th  February,  this  year,  the  new 
chapel,  at  Tutbill-stairs,  was  opened.  It  was  begun  in 
July  the  previous  year.  Its  cost  was  ^"1,240.  Of  this 
sum,  five  hundred  pounds  were  collected  by  Mr.  Hassell, 
in  different  parts  of  the  kingdom.  The  rest  was  dis- 
charged by  the  members  of  the  church,  Mr.  Fishwick, 
and  Mr.  Ward  his  partner  in  the  Lead  Factory — a  man 
of  kindred  spirit  with  himself,  giving  the  larger  share. 
The  day  after  the  opening  of  the  chapel,  Mr.  Hassell 
was  ordained.  Messrs.  Wbitfield,  Hebron,  Eustou, 
&c.,  engaged  in  the  different  services. 

It  may  be  proper  here  to  state,  that  Messrs.  Fish- 
wick  and  Ward,  during  the  fourteen  years  previous  to 
the  erection  of  the  chapel,  had  struggled  most  generously 
on  behalf  of  the  church,  in  carrying  on  a  litigation  re- 
specting the  property  at  TutbiU-srairs.  The  law-suit 
arose  out  of  the  following  circumstances :  The  trustees, 
in  whom  the  property  was  invested,  were  all  deceased, 
without  having  conveyed  it  to  successors.  The  re- 
sult was,  the  heir  of  the  last  of  them  claimed  the  whole, 
with  the  exception  of  the  room  where  worship  was 
carried  on,  and  mortgaged  it  for  ,^200.  About  ,^200 

selling  his  estate  for  the  purpose.  After  this,  he  united  with  his 
brother,  and  several  eminent  ministers,  and  others,  to  diffuse  the 
gospel  at  home.  As  already  noticed,  vital  religion  was  low  at  this 
time  in  Scotland;  he  accordingly  selected  a  number  of  pious  young 
men,  instructed  them  at  his  own  expense,  and  sent  them  to  itine- 
rate through  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  land.  The  result  was, 
a  very  remarkable  revival  took  place.  Tabernacles  were  reared, 
and  Independent  churches  were  formed,  in  almost  all  the  towns  in 
Scotland.  Many  of  Mr.  Haldane's  students,  educated  by  Messrs; 
Ewing,  Innes,  "Wemyss,  and  Cowie,  have  become  men  of  the  first 
eminence;  and  not  only  Scotland,  but  England,  Ireland,  and 
many  other  parts  of  the  world  have  been  blessed  by  their  labours. 
It  will  be  afterwards  alluded  to,  that  the  Messrs.  Haldane  and 
many  of  their  fellow  labourers  became  Baptists.  Mr.  Robert  died 
12th  December,  1842.  Mr.  James  still  survives. 


TN  THE  NOBf  H  OF  ENGLAND.  241 

was  spent  in  law ;  and  when  at  length  the  claimant  was 
removed  by  death,  an  agreement  was  made  hy  the 
brethren  with  his  trustees,  to  pay  £25  to  his  widow, 
and  to  be  responsible  for  the  mortgage.  The  property 
being  thus  recovered,  the  new  chapel,  as  above  stated, 
was  erected.* 

The  association  was  held  this  year  at  Hamsterley, 
and  gave  birth  to  a  new  religious  institution,  called 
THE  NOETHEBN  EVANGELICAL  SOCIETY.  its:  objects 
were  to  unite  allthe  Independent  and  Baptist  ministers  of 
the  four  Northern  Counties,  and  to  establish  an  itineran- 
cy, to  spread  the  gospel  both  in  their  own  immediate 
neighbourhood,  and  in  the  more  benighted  spots  of  these 
counties.  The  scheme  arose  out  of  the  formation 
of  the  Baptist  Home  Missionary  Society  during  the 
preceding  year.  Inspired  by  the  holy  doings  of  their 
missionaries  in  Bengal,  this  society  had  sent  to  Corn- 
wall, Messrs.  Saffery  and  Steadman,  to  itinerate  in 
that  dark  corner  of  England,  and  the  result  becoming 
known,  others  were  provoked,  by  this  deed  of  love,  to 
go  and  do  likewise.  Mr.  Hassell  introduced  the  subject 
of  village  preaching,  at  the  association.  The  idea  was 
approved  of  by  all  the  ministers  and  messengers  present. 
A  general  meeting  was  appointed  to  be  held,  at  Park- 
head,  Cumberland,  on  August  8th,  1798.  The  meeting 
took  place  accordingly.  Messrs.  Hassell,  Hill,  and 
Whitfield  preached.  Mr.  Fishwick  was  chosen  treasurer 
to  the  new  society;  Mr.  Hassell,  secretary;  and  Mr. 
Whitfield,  president. 

During  this  year,  1798,  a  considerable  revival  had 
taken  place  in  the  churches  generally,  but  especially  at 

*  What  a  lesson  does  this  circumstance  teach  to  churches  re- 
specting their  trust-deeds !    It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  Act  lately 
passed— in  1843 — will  tend  to  make  them  not  only  cautious  re- 
specting their  timely  renewal,  but  also  respecting  the  character  of  , 
the  deeds  themselves,  and  how  they  are  deposited. 

X 


242  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Newcastle.  Twenty  were  added;  in  all ;  but  of  these 
there  was  only  one  added  to  Hamsterley,  and  two  there 
had  died. 

1799. — In  the. last  year  of  the. eighteenth  century  the 
annual  association  of  the  churches  was.  held  at  New- 
castle, 13th,  14th,  and  15th  May.  Messrs.  Whitfield, 
Hassell,  Inieary,  Huston,  Cook,  Moss,  Jones,  Browning, 
and  Hill  engaged  in  the  different  services.  This  year 
was  one  of  barrenness  at  Hamsterley;  none  were  added, 
and  one  had  died.  It  was  about  this  time  that  Mr. 
"Whitfield  married  again,  haying  left  Emshill,  and 
taken  up  his  abode  in  Hamsterley,  the  centre  of  his 
labours. 

This  3rear,  1799,  the  assembly-room  in  Stephenson- 
street,  North  Shields,  was  purchased,  and  converted 
into  a  chapel  for  the  Baptist  church  there.  It  cost  about 
^800,  the  one  half  of  which  is  said  to  have  been;paid 
by  Mr.  Fish  wick,  and  the  other  half  was  collected  by 
Mr.  Imeary,  in  North  Shields  and  other  places. 

1800. — The  association  was  held  this  year  at  Row- 
ley. The  ministers  already  mentioned  engaged  in  the 
services.  Again,  this  year,  none  were  added  to  the 
church  at  Hamsterley,  and  one  had  died.  This  year 
Messrs.  Valentine  Short  and  Sheraton  were  ordained 
ministers  of  the  small  Baptist  church,  meeting  at  Stock- 
ton-on-Tees,  and  Marton,  Yorkshire.  The  former,  Mr. 
Short,  had  been  connected  with  this  church  for  many 
years,  and  had  been  its  principal  prop.  On  the  demise 
of  Mr.  David  Fernie,  in  the  end  of  1789,  he  was  the 
chief  individual  who  carried  on  worship,  in  the  little 
community.  He  preached  to  the  brethren,  in  his  own 
house,  at  Stockton;  and  once  a  month  administered  the 
Lord's  supper  to  them,  at  Marton.  In  1799,  Mr.  Sher- 
aton, a  member  of  Mr.  Abraham  Booth's  church, 
London,  and  a  distinguished  mechanic,  coming  to  reside 
in  Darlington,  was  called  by  the  church  to  assist  Mr. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        243 

Short  in  the  ministerial  office.  Messrs.  Whitfield  and 
Hassell  conducted  the  services  of  the  ordination.  The 
meetings  of  the  church  had,  for  some  time  previously 
to  this,  been  held  in  a  long  room  of  Mr.  Sheraton's,  and 
continued  to  be  so,  till  his  removal,  and  Mr.  Short's' 
death  in  1802. 

1801. — Till  the  early  part  of  this  year,  Mr.  Hassell, 
continued  his  assiduous  and  useful  labours  in  New- 
castle. At  this  time,  however,  he  became  unhappy,  by 
what  he  deemed  unkind  conduct  in  some  of  his  people 
towards  himself.  Under  these  circumstances,  he  thought 
it  his  duty  to  remove.  This  was  a  matter  much  to 
be  deplored,  as  the  church  at  Tuthill-stairs,  in  by-gone 
years,  had  suffered  so  much  from  the  removals  of  its 
ministers ;  and  as  it  now,  under  the  able  ministry  of 
Mr.  Hassell,  had  begun  to  rear  its  head.  The  parties" 
who  were  the  cause  of  the  removal  were  deeply  culpa- 
ble. "  "Woe  unto  the  world  because  of  offences,  for  it 
must  be  that  offences  come;  but  woe  to  the  man  by 
whom  they  come."  The  church  should  have  interposed 
its  authority  on  behalf  of  Mr.  Hassell,  and  rather  with- 
drawn from  these  individuals,  however  influential  they 
might  be,  than  have  been  guilty  of  ingratitude  to 
the  "man  who,  in  connection  with  Messrs.  Fishwick 
and  Ward,*  might  be  said  to  have  founded  the  church 

*  These  two  gentlemen,  so  distinguished  for  their  liberality  to 
the  cause  of  God  and  the  general  weal  of  mankind,  terminated  life 
very  differently  as  regards  worldly  circumstances.  Mr.  Fishwick, 
from  a  condition  of  considerable  affluence,  by  engaging  in  cer- 
tain speculations,  which  proved  unfortunate,  became  reduced 
in  his  worldly  condition.  He  removed  to  London,  in  1806, 
and  in  the  following  year  was  dismissed  to  the  church  under  Dr. 
Rippon.  Before  the  close  of  his  life,  he  suffered  for  many  months 
under  mental  aberration.  He  died  at  Islington,  January  17, 1825. 
Mr.  Ward  removed  to  Derby,  where  he  built  a  chapel.  There  he 
Jnarried  a  second  wife,  a  Miss  Hopper,  daughter  of  Mr.  Hopper, 

x  2 


244  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST. CHUBCHES 

/ 

anew.  Mr.  Hassell  himself  might  not  be  altogether 
clear  of  blame.  His  haste  in  removing,  on  account 
of  one  party,  or  of  a  few,  might  be  ill  judged ;  and, 
indeed,  it  is  affirmed  that  he  afterwards  acknowledged 
this  to  one  of  the  members  of  the  church,  who  met 
him  in  Manchester .t 

Mr.  Hassell  afterwards  went  to  Ireland,  and  settled 
for  several  years  at  Clough  Jordan.  He  then  removed 
to  Shrewsbury,  where  he  closed  his  useful,  laborious, 
and  valuable  life. 

Mr.  Whitfield,  this  year,  published  his  useful  memoir 
of  Mr.  Slee  ;  the  most  popular  of  all  the  productions  of 
his  pen. 

The  association  was  held  at  Hamsterley,  in  1801. 
The  usual  ministers  were  engaged.  One  was  added 
this  year  to  the  church  at  Hamsterley,  and  one  had 
died.  A  Mr.  Hoyle  supplied  at  Newcastle,  part  of 
this  year. 

1802. — The  annual  meeting  was  held  this  year,  for 
the  first  time,  at  North  Shields.  Hamsterley  had  one 
added,  and  two  died.  Mr.  Valentine  Short  died  this 
year,  at  Stockton.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  we  know 
so  little  of  this  venerable  man,  but  his  life  speaks  for 
him.  That  the  cause  at  Stockton  survived  in  its  dark- 
est day,  after  the  death  of  ita  founder,  David  Fernie,  is 
greatly  owing,  under  God,  to  his  exertions.  God  has 
blessed  him  in  his  descendants.  His  daughter  has  been 

Baptist  Minister,  of  Nottingham,  and  died  in  opulent  circum- 
stances, leaving  a  widow,,  who  subsequently  became  the  wife  of 
Swinburne,  Esq.,  Banker,  of  Derby. 

f  Mr.  Hassell  frequently  corresponded  with  his  old  friends:  at 
Newcastle.  In  doing  so,  he  generally  unfolded  the  warmth  of 
his  feelings  towards  them.  At  a  late  period,  he  proposed,  indeed, 
to  visit  them ;  but,  owing  to  circumstances  with  which  we  are  un- 
acquainted, this  was.  not  accomplished. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  247 

shouted,  himself,  with  a  strong  voice, — "  I  am  com- 
ing! I  am  coming!  Open  the  window!  !"  These 
were  his  last  words.  He  afterwards  lay  in  a  calm, 
quiet  state,  till  half-past  six,  when  he  expired,  without 
a  groan,  in  the  fortieth  year  of  his  age.  He  was 
buried  heside  Mr.  Skinner,  at  the  Ballast  Hills  hurying 
ground. 

The  association  was  held  at  Rowley  in  1803.  .Seven 
persons  had  been  added  afc  Hamsterley ;  of  these,  how- 
ever, three  soon  withdrew,  and  were  excluded,  and  one 
died.  Allusion  is  made  in  the  letter  from  Hamsterley, 
of  "  peace  being  restored  to  Europe."  This  had  taken 
place  the  year  before,  after  a  bloody  war  of  ten  years, 
arising  out  of  the  French  Revolution,  in  1789.  The 
association,  however,  was  hardly  over,  when  the  peace 
was  again  interrupted ;  and  a  farther  dreadful  European 
war  ensued,  which  lasted  other  twelve  years,  ending  in 
the  overthrow  of  Bonaparte,  at  "Waterloo,  June  18th, 
1815. 

1804— 1806.— The  association  was  held  in  1804,  at 
Newcastle.  Two  had  been  added  at  Hamsterley,  but 
one  had  died,  and  one  was  dismissed  to  Stockton.  In 

1805,  it  was  held  at  Hamsterley:    one   was  added 
there,  three  had  died,   and  one  was  dismissed.     In 

1806,  it  was  again  held  at  Rowley.     Two  were  this 
year  added  to  Hamsterley,  the  whole  number  now 
being  eighty.    During  these  years,  the  church  at  New- 
castle was  supplied,  first  by  Mr.  Scarlet,  from  Hull, 
and  then  by  Mr.  Hartley,  who  had  been  with  them  in 
1791.    He,  however,  again  left  in  1806,  and  went  some 
time  after  to  Stockton,  with  a  view  to  renovate  the 
drooping  cause  in  that  town ;  and  in  this,  we  are  happy 
to  add,  he  succeeded. 

The  period  that  had  passed  over  the  world,  embraced 
in  the  chapter  now  closing,  was  one  singularly  eventful. 
The  children  of  the  Puritans  had  just  terminated  a  war 


248  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

•which  laid  the  foundation  of  an  empire,  on  principles 
somewhat  similar  to  those  their  fathers  had  attempted 
in  England ;  but  on  a  field  of  far  mightier  range.  The 
flame  soon  extended  to  France,  and  one  of  the  most 
direful  tales  of  blood,  that  was  ever  told,  commenced. 
Europe  became  one  wide  battle  field,  of  tremendous 
slaughter ;  but,  in  the  meantime,  the  cause  of  God  re- 
ceived an  impulse,  the  force  of  which  is  not  abated  at 
the  present  hour ;  nay,  it  is  rather  greatly  augmented,  ve- 
rifying the  truth  of  the  prophecy,  that  "  the  wall  of  the 
city  shall  be  built  even  in  troublous  times."  In  the  very 
year  of  the  commencement  of  the  war,  the  Baptist 
mission  was  formed  at  Kettering,  October  2nd,  1792.* 
In  1795,  began  the  London  Missionary  Society;  the 
Scottish  Mission  was  formed  in  1796  ;t  and  the  Church 

*  The  Baptist  mission,  between  1792  and  1806,  had  made  con- 
siderable progress.  In  1799,  Messrs.  Marshman,  Ward,  and  two 
other  missionaries,  with  their  -wives,  arrived  in  India.  In  1800, 
Krishno,  the  first  Hindoo  convert,  was  baptized;  and  by  the  end 
of  1806,  one  hundred  and  six  of  European  Asiatics — the  descend- 
ants of  Europeans  and  Hindoos — had  been  baptized.  The  Scrip- 
tures were  being  printed  in  six  languages,  and  in  a  course  of 
translation  in  six  more,  by  the  end  of  1807.  In  1 799,  the  mission 
lost  one  of  its  most  attached  friends,  Mr.  Samuel  Pearce,  of  Bir- 
mingham, October  10th,  aged  33. 

t  This  mission  was  under  the  direction  of  the  ministers  of  the 
church  of  Scotland.  The  scenes  of  labour  were  chiefly  Astracan, 
in  Russia,  and  Sierra  Leone,  in  Africa.  The  operations  under  the 
Messrs.  Haldane  were  still  in  progress,  and  churches  in  almost 
all  the  towns  in  Scotland,  were  formed  under  their  auspices, 
on  Independent  principles.  The  labours  also  of  the  young  minis- 
ters, reared  by  these  gentlemen,  were  diffused  through  both  the' 
.North  of  Ireland  and  England.  A  church  was  formed  at  Ford 
Forge,  in  Northumberland,  and  within  two  miles  of  the  famous 
Flodden  Field,  under  the  auspices  of  Mr,  John  Black,  the  owner 
of  the  Forge  for  the  manufactory  of  spades,  &c.,  at  this  place. 
Mr.  Alexander  Kirkwood,  now  of  Berwick,  was  ordained  as 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  245 

long  a  valuable  member  of  the  clmrcli  at  Stockton; 
several  of  her  children  are  members  of  the  same 
church ;  and  two  of  them  are  ministers  of  the  gospel : 
one  a  Baptist,  the  other  an  Independent.  Mr.  Shera- 
ton, as  has  been  already  mentioned,  left  this  year ;  but 
the  church  continued  its  meetings,  in  different  parts  of 
Stockton ;  occasionally  enjoying  the  services  of  a  minis- 
ter, whose  expenses  they  defrayed  by  making,  according 
to  apostolic  direction,  a  contribution  every  Lord's  day. 

Mr.  Cratcherrode,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Hoyle,in  1801, 
at  Newcastle,  left  in  December,  this  year. 

1803. — During  the  first  half  of  this  year  the  church 
at  Newcastle  had  only  occasional  supplies ;  but  Mr. 
Thomas  Berry  came  in  June,  and  his  labours  were  very 
acceptable ;  but,  as  he  was  about  to  take  on  him  the 
pastoral  office,  he  was  unexpectedly  called  away,  to 
join  the  church  triumphant.  He  died  January  1,  1804.* 
The  happiness  of  his  mind  was  extraordinary.  His 
faith  in  God  was  strong,  especially  in  relation  to  his 
family.  He  often  requested  Mrs.  Berry,  while  weeping 
over  him,  to  give  him  up,  as  he  had  given  her  and  his 
dear  children,  to  the  kind  and  tender  care  of  his  cove- 
nant God.  But  she  still  continued  to  weep  over  him, 

*  Mr.  Berry  preached  a  funeral  sermon,  llth  December,  from 
the  words,  "  What  is  your  life?"  It  was  little  thought,  by  those 
who  heard  him,  that  his  own  life  was  so  near  a  close.  On  the 
18th  he  preached  twice,  for  the  last  time,  in  the  chapel  at  Tuthill- 
stairs.  On  the  22nd,  at  the  prayer  meeting,  where  he  expounded 
Isaiah  xl.  12 — 18,  it  was  remarked,  that  his  appearance  .that 
night  was  peculiarly  heavenly;  and,  some  said,  more  than  human. 
He  had  then  been  seized  with  an  inflammation  in  his  bowels, 
which  baffled  both  the  skill  of  the  physician  and  the  power  of 
medicine  to  cure.  He  prepared  on  the  23rd  and  24th  for  the 
services  of  25th,  Lord's  Day;  but  on  the  evening  of  the  24th,  he 
grew  worse,  which  increased  till  the  first  day  of  1804,  when  his 
sufferings  ended,  and  he  entered  into  the  joy  of  his  Lord. 

x  3 


246  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

and  to  cry,  "  What  will  become  of  me  and  my  five 
children  ?"  He  replied,  "  The  Lord  will  provide !  There 
is,  however,  one  thing  I  would  have  you  to  fear.  Fear 
sin.  But  if  you  walk  close  with  God,  you  need  not  fear. 
Fear  nothing  then  hut  sin."  When  put  into  a  warm 
hath,  he  repeated  four  verses  of  that  beautiful  hymn  of 
Watts' :  "  With  joy  we  meditate  the  grace,"  &e. 

At  one  time,  he  said  to  his  medical  attendant,  "  Sir, 
do  you  love  Jesus  Christ  ?  I  love  Him !  I  feel  Him 
precious !  He  sweetens  my  bed  of  affliction !  He 
brightens  my  prospects  for  eternity !  I  feel  Him  pre- 
cious !"*  At  another  time,  to  those  around  him,  he  said, 
elevating  his  voice,  "  Praise  Him !  Praise  Him !  Crown 
Him  !  Crown  Him  !  Crown  Him !  Lord  of  all !  I  have 
often  spoken  of  the  boundless  mercy  and  love  of  God ; 
but  now  I  feel  it !  I  prove  it !"  To  two  young  ministers, 
he  said,  speaking  of  the  sufficiency  of  the  work  of 
Christ,  "Faithfully  report  it,  but  never  attempt  to 
mend  it!" 

At  five  o'clock  in  the  morning  on  which  he  died,  he 
suddenly  started  up,  and  exclaimed,  with  rapturous 
emotion,  mingled,  it  ma)r  be,  with  some  degree  of  deli- 
rium,— "Hark!  hark!  they  are  singing!  I  hear  them 
shouting,  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest!"  He  then 

*  One  of  the  deacons  of  the  church  received  a  guinea  from  this 
gentleman,  on  behalf  of  the  family  of  Mr.  Berry,  accompanied  by 
the  affirmation  that  he  never  in  his  life  had  heen  witness  to  such  a 
scene,  to  such  a  Christian,  such  a  triumphant  termination  of  human 
jife.  The  other  medical  attendant  did  the  same;  and  neither  made 
any  charge  for  a3vice,&c.  .Eight  hundred  pounds  were  collected,  at 
Newcastle  and  other  places,  for  the  widow  and  her  family,  which, 
for  a  certain  period,  was  put  in  trust,  and  the  interest  paid.  The 
family  turned  out  well,  and  are  now  in  respectable  circumstances. 
There  is  a  tablet  erected  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Berry, 
in  the  Baptist  chapel,  Sheffield.  Mrs.  Sissons,  the  wife  of  one  of 
the  principal  manufacturers  of  Sheffield,  is  one  of  their  daughters. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  249 

of  England  Mission  in  1801.  In  1804,  Mr.  Hughes, 
Baptist  minister,  of  Battersea,  suggested  the  idea  of  the 
Bible  Society,  which  was  immediately  taken  up,  and 
acted  on  by  all  sects  and  parties ;  and  in  1805,  the 
Northern  Baptist  Education  Society  was  formed,  and 
placed  under  the  care  of  the  Eev.  William  Steadman, 
lately  called  to  preside  over  the  church  at  Bradford, 

pastor  in  1804.  As  the  subject  of  Baptism  had  come  under  the 
examination  of  the  newly-formed  churches  in  Scotland,  and  Mr. 
Stephens,  then  co-pastor  with  Mr.  James  Haldane,  of  the  Taber- 
nacle church,  Edinburgh,  had  been  baptized  on  a  profession  of  bis 
faith,  the  enquiry  had  circulated  throughout  the  whole  range  of 
these  churches,  in  Scotland,  England,  and  Ireland.  Among 
other  places,  this  was  the  case  at  F.ord  Forge.  Mr.  Kirkwood 
and  six  or  seven  of  the  members  of  the  church  there  were 
baptized.  The  others  withdrew ;  and  a  new  Baptist  church  was 
formed  of  twelve  members.  "In  1807,  Mr.  Kirkwood  removed  to 
Beverley;  and,  in  the  meantime,  the  new  church  at  Ford  Forge, 
was  placed  under  the  care  of  Mr.  John  Black,  Junior,  and  Mr« 
"William  Dodds,  who  were  set  apart  to  the  eldership  by  the  late 
Mr.  Archibald  Maclean  of  Edinburgh.  Another  church  was 
formed  at  Berwick-on-Tweed,  on  Independent  principles,  in  1803. 
Mr.  Dunn  was  chosen  pastor.  Their  number  at  this  time  was 
twenty-five ;  yet  in  the  four  following  years  they  considerably  in- 
creased ;  but,  in  1808,  about  one-fourth  of  the  society  changed  their 
views  on  Baptism,  and  Mr.  Dunn  removed  to  the  church  at  Dum- 
fries, where  he  ended  his  days.  The  church  then  invited  Mr. 
Kirkwood,  who  had  often  preached  to  them  before,  to  leave  Bever- 
ley, and  take  the  charge  of  them.  He  did  so ;  and  the  cause  con- 
tinued to  prosper.  We  have  already  noticed,  in  connexion  with 
the  rise  of  the  Scotch  Baptists,  that  there  were  some  persons  at 
Wooler,  in  Northumberland,  that  joined  them;  and  Mr.  Grieve, 
the  Presbyterian  minister  there,  had  been  baptized,  joined  the 
church  at  Edinburgh,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  study  and 
practice  of  medicine.  In  1801,  the  church  at  Wooler  was  set , 
in  order  by  Mr.  Maclean,  and  Mr.  William  Pattison  and  Mr. 
Robert  Law  were  ordaiued  elders.  We  shall  advert  hereafter  to. 
these  churches^ 


250  HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Yorkshire,  formerly  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Crabtree.* 
The  fruits  of  this  valuable  institution,  soon  began  to  be 
seen  throughout  the  kingdom,  but  particularly  in  the 
North  of  England.  This  will  be  evident  more  fully  in 
the  succeeding  pages  of  our  narrative. 

*  In  Yorkshire,  we  find  the  following  churches  had  come  into 
existence,  from  1785.  Driffield,  in  the  East  Riding,  in  1787: 
first  pastor,  Mr.  Wrightson.  First  church,  Sheffield,  in  1788, 
•and -Mr.  Downs  became  'first  pastor,  in  1804.  Blackley,  in  1789 : 
Mr.  Oartledge,  first  minister.  Rotherham,  in  1789:  Mr.  Dicken- 
son,  first  pastor.  George-street,  Hull,  in  1794 :  Mr.  Tendered, 
their  first  pastor,  who  baptized  Mr.  Ward,  of  Serampore,  in  1796. 
Lockwood,  in  1795 :  first  minister,  Mr.  Hartley.  Wigan,  in 
Lancashire,  in  1796:  Mr.  Wrathal,  became  their  pastor,  in  1803. 
Hedon,  in  1800,  preaching  began,  church  formed  in  1825 :  Mr. 
Harper,  first  pastor.  Horseforth,  in  1801 :  first  minister,  Mr. 
Mabbut.  Blchforth,  in  1803:  first  minister,  Mr.  Roebuck. 
Hunmanby,  in  1806:  Mr.  Hithersay,  first  pastor,  in  1816.  Man- 
chester, in  1807 :  Mr.  Stephens,  first  minister,  in  1811. 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OP  ENGLAND.  251 


CHAPTER  III. 

Mr.  Pengilly. — His  ordination.— Mr.  Anderson,  Edinburgh.— 
The  slave  trade  abolished.— Death  of  Mr.  Booth,  &c.— Mr. 
Hartley. — Scotland. — Associations. — Death  of  Mr.  Charlton. — 
Of  Mr.  Maclean. — Serampore.— Death  of  ^Ir.  Fuller.— Of. 
Mr.  Angus. —  Of  Mr.  Imeary.— Of  Mr.  Mabhut.—  Of  Mr. 
George  Angus.— Mr.  Williamson's  ordination. — Messrs.  Darn- 
borough  and  Morley,  Boro*bridge.— Separation  at  Tuthill-stairs. 
— Wolsingham^Souih  Shields.— Mr.  Sample. — Mr.  Whitfield 
struck  with  paralysis. — Death  of  Mr.  Terry. — Hamsterley  sup  - 
plies.— -Mr.  Fisher  ordained. — Death  of  Mr.  James  Jopling. — 
Of  Mr.  John  Angus. — Yorkshire  churches. — Death  of  Mi;. 
Whitfield. 

1807.* — In  this  chapter  of  our  narrative  we  come 
within  the  range  of  the  recollection  of  many  of  the 
present  members  of  our  churches.  It  is  true,  indeed,  it 
was  the  infantine  days  of  several  of  them ;  but  some  of 
them  can  remember  the  settlement  of  the  oldest  minis- 
ter of  the  association,  at  the  present  period ;  and  some 
of  the  members  of  the  country  churches,  when  he  first 
appeared  at  the  associations  as  they  annually  came 
round.  The  association,  this  year,  was  held  at  North 
Shields.  The  cause  in  that  town  had  progressed  by 

*  This  year,  Mr.  Christopher  Anderson,  of  Edinburgh,  com- 
menced his  useful  career.  Mr.  A.  had  been,  for  some  time  previ- 
ously, in  England,  studying  under  Mr.  Sutcliff,  of  Olney,  one 
of  the  fathers  of  the  Baptist  Mission.  A  small  church  of  twelve 
members  was  formed,  21st  January,  1808,  when  Mr.  Anderson 
was  ordained,  by  Mr.  Barclay,  of  Kilwinning.  The  slave  trade 
was  abolished,  in  1807.  Mr.  Ab.  Booth  died,  27th  January, 
1806;  and  the  distinguished  John  Newton,- of  London,  21st 
December,  1807.  His  friend  Cowper,  the  poet,  had  died  in  1800. 


252  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

the  energy  of  Mr.  Imeary,  but  all  the  other  churches 
were  in  a  very  low  condition.  Hamsterley  had  none 
added  this  year,  and  Rowley  and  Newcastle  were  with- 
out pastors.  In  the  course  of  the  year,  however,  these 
two  latter  churches  obtained  ministers  from  the  south ; 
Mr.  Pengilly  from  Bristol  academy,  and  Mr.  Mabbut, 
formerly  minister  at  Horseforth,  Yorkshire. 

Mr.  Pengilly  was  ordained  August  12,  1807.  Dr. 
Steadman,  of  Bradford,  in  the  absence  of  Dr.  Ryland, 
Mr.  Pengilly's  tutor,  gave  the  charge,  from  Rev.  ii.  10, 
"Be  thou  faithful,"  &c.  Mr.  Whitfield  offered  the  or- 
dination prayer ;  and  preached  to  the  people  in  the 
evening,  from  Phil.  ii.  19.  On  the  following  day  Mr. 
Mabbut  was  ordained,  at  Rowley,  by  the  same  minis- 
ters; Dr.  Steadman  giving  the  charge,  and  Mr.  Whit- 
field  addressing  the  church. 

1808*— 1809.— The  annual  meeting  was  held,  in  1808, 
at  Hamsterley.  To  the  church  there,  two  were  added, 
and  two  excluded.  In  1809,  the  association  was  held 
at  Rowley.  At  Hamsterley  six  added,  and  two  died. 

In  the  early  part  of  1809,  Mr.  Hartley,  who  had  been 
at  Newcastle  previously  to  the  coming  of  Mr.  Pengilly, 
went  to  Stockton,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  "Whitfield, 
with  a  view  to  raise  the  cause  there.  He  did  so ;  and 
was  approved  by  the  church,  and  much  respected  by 

*  This  year  was  remarkable  for  the  change  of  sentiment,  on  the 
subject  of  Baptism,  that  took  place  in  the  minds  of  the  Independ- 
ent ministers  in  Scotland.  Mr.  Innes,  of  Dundee,  was  baptized, 
and  became  minister  of  a  Free  Communion  church,  in  Edinburgh. 
Mr.  James  Alexander  Haldane,  was  baptized  in  March,  and 
Mr.  Robert,  his  brother,  and  a  great  many  of  the  church  meeting 
in  the  Tabernacle,  Leith-walk,  embraced  the  same  sentiments. 
The  ferment  spread  itself  through  the  whole  country.  There  can 
be  little  doubt  that  the  success  at  this  time,  so  signally  attending 
the  Baptist  mission,  in  India,  greatly  contributed  to  this.  That 
mission,  in  many  respects,  was  one  of  the  greatest  blessings  that 
ever  was  bestowed  on  the  denomination  whose  name  it  bears. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        253 

the  inhabitants  of  the  town.  A  house  was  purchased  hy 
Mr.  Whitfield,  for  ^240,  which  sum  he  found  means  for 
the  present  to  raise,  and  the  building  was  converted  into 
a  small  chapel  and  residence  for  the  minister.  By  the 
activity  and  urbanity  of  Mr.  Hartley,  together  with  the 
generosity  of  the  Christian  public,  this  money,  and  all 
other  incidental  expenses,  were  ultimately  cleared. 

1810. — The  association  was  held  this  year,  at  New- 
castle, llth  and  12th  June.  Messrs.  Whitfield,  Imeary, 
Shepherd,  (Independent,  Postern  chapel,)  Watts,  Hart- 
ley, Scott,  (Independent,  Hexham,)  and  Pengilly,  en- 
gaged in  the  different  services.  The  church  at  Stockton, 
formed  anew  the  preceding  August,  was  received  into 
the  Association.  Two  were  added  this  year  at  Ham- 
sterley,  and  two  had  died. 

On  the  17th  January.  1810,  the  church  at  New- 
castle sustained  a  heavy  loss  in  the  death  of  Mr.  George 
Charlton,  one  of  the  deacons.  His  death  was  sudden 
and  very  affecting.  His  left  arm  was  caught  by  an 
iron  wheel,  worked  by  a  steam  engine,  while  engaged 
at  his  employment,  by  which  he  was  drawn  in  and 
crushed  to  death.  He  was  chosen  deacon  about  the 
time  of  Mr.  Pengilly's  coming  to. Newcastle,  and  had 
been  a  worthy  member  several  years  before.  He  was 
also  clerk  of  the  chapel;  the  principal  manager  of  a 
large  Sunday  school ;  and  of  a  reading  society,  establish- 
ed in  the  vestry,  for  the  benefit  of  young  people.  "  In 
all  these  offices,"  says  his  pastor,  "  he  was  indefatigably 
persevering,  and  acted  with  such  propriety  as  justly  to 
merit,  and  universally  to  obtain,  the  respect  and  esteem, 
of  his  brethren.  It  was  his  delight  and  joy  to  promote 
the  cause  of  Christ,  in  any,  and  every  way.  The  peace 
and  prosperity  of  the  church  were  dearer  to  him  than 
life  itself — the  theme  of  his  conversation — the  summit 
of  his  wishes,  and  the  constant  object  of  his  prayers. 

"  The  last  hymn  that  he  chose  and  sung  among  us, 

T 


254  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

was  the  162nd  of  the  selection,  ending, '  And  when  this ' 
lisping  stammering  tongue,'  &c.  This  was  accomplish- 
ed in  less  than  twenty-four  hours,  for  before  that  time 
the  next  evening,  the  grave  closed  upon  him!  The 
providence  is  inscrutable,  but  no  doubt  ordered  in 
infinite  wisdom  and  mercy,  both  towards  our  brother 
and  ourselves.  It  is  a  happy  consideration  that  he  was 
prepared  to  go.  He,  not  long  before,  said  to  his  friends, 
that  sudden  death  to  him  would  be  sudden  glory,  and 
that  if  he  had  his  choice  he  would  prefer  a  sudden  dis- 
mission from  the  world." 

"  In  this" — the  loss  of  his  friend — says  Mr.  P.,  "  I 
have  sustained  a  loss  which  no  human  being  that  I 
know  can  make  up.  He  was  one  of  those  few  whom 
ministers  call  their  right-hand  men." 

1811 — 1812.* — The  association,  for  the  first  time, 
was  held  in  1811,  at  Stockton.  None  were  added  this 
year  at  Hamsterley ;  three  had  died.  In  1812,  the  an- 
nual meeting  was  held  at  Rowley.  Five  persons  were 
added  this  year,  and  two  had  died  at  Hamsterley. 

On  the  26th  November,  1812,  Mr.  William  Angus,  of 
Summerfield,  departed  this  life,  aged  94  years.  He  had 
been  a  member  of  the  church  at  Rowley  twenty-four 
years.  Though  debilitated  for  some  years  before  his 
death,  says  his  pastor,  yet  his  conversation  and  even 
his  wanderings  of  intellect,  shewed  that  he  was  deeply 
imbued  with  piety,  and  that  his  heart  and  treasure  were 
in  heaven.  His  end  was  peace. 

*  Mr.  Archibald  Maclean,  of  Edinburgh,  died,  21st  December, 
1812,  aged  79.  He  may  be  regarded  as  the  founder  and  Evange- 
list of  the  Scotch  Baptist  churches.  His  writings  are  remarkable 
for  their  clearness  and  sagacity.  He  had  lost  his  excellent  col- 
league, in  the  pastoral  office,  Mr.  Henry  David  Inglis,  May  12, 
1806,  in  the  49th  year  of  his  age.  His  surviving  coadjutor, 
Mr.  William  Braidwood,  finished  his  useful  course  on  the  13th 
October. 

The  printing  premises  of  the  mission- house,  at  Serampore, 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  255 

1813 — 1815.* — The  association,  during  these  years, 
was  held  respectively  at  Rowley,  Newcastle,  and  Ham- 
sterley.  There  were  added  at  Hamsterley,  in  1813, 
five,  and  two  had  died;  in  1814,  four  were  added,  and 
one  had  died ;  and  in  1815,  two  were  added,  and  four 
had  died. 

Mr.  Imeary,  of  North  Shields,  died  ahout  the  middle 
of  1814.  In  the  Baptist  Magazine,  of  that  year,  we 
have  the  following  brief  account  of  him : — "  Lately  died, 
after  a  long  period  of  affliction,  which  he  bore  with  the 
fortitude  and  patience  of  a  Christian,  and  a  minister  of 
the  gospel,  full  of  consolation,  the  Reverend  Robert 
Imeary,  many  years  the  highly  respected  and  beloved 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church,  North  Shields.  His  me- 
mory is  dear  to  many  in  those  parts,  and  while  his 
flesh  is  resting  in  hope,  it  is  earnestly  to  be  desired, 
they  be  making  that  preparation  to  meet  their  Lord 
when  he  shall  come  to  call  the  preacher  of  his  word, 
together  with  those  who  heard  him,  to  give  up  their 
account."  Mr.  Imeary  left  two  children ;  Mr.  Robert 
Imeary,  of  the  Alkali  works,  Jarrow,  and  Mrs.  Hind- 
haugh,  of  the  same  place. 

were  consumed  by  fire,  in   1812;   bat  the  British  public,  most 
generously  soon  collected  more  than  was  lost.         » 

*  Mr.  Andrew  Fuller,  secretary  of  the  Baptist  mission,  died 
this  year,  7th  May,  aged  sixty-two.  He  was  born  in  1754,  bap- 
tized in  1770,  and  called  to  the  ministry  in  1774.  In  1775,  he  was 
ordained  at  Soham,  and  removed  to  Kettering,  in  1 782 ;  publish- 
ed his  "  Gospel  worthy  of  all  Acceptation,"  in  1784,  and  became 
secretary  of  the  Baptist  mission,  in  1792.  From  that  time  till  his 
death,  while  he  attended  to  his  ministerial  engagements,  much  to 
the  satisfaction  and  edification  of  his  people,  the  mission  was  his 
all-absorbing  care,  and  he  finally  died  a  martyr  to  its  interests. 
As  a  theologian,  though  self-taught,  he  stands  pre-eminent  among 
the  ablest  writers  his  country  has  produced.  Mr.  Sutcliff,  of  Ol- 
ney,  died,  22nd  June,  1814,  aged  72.  The  Baptist  mission  to  the 
West  Indies,  commenced  in  1813,  and  that  to  Ireland,  in  1814. 

Y2 


256  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

In  1815,  Mr.  Mabbut,  of  Rowley,  through  mental  and 
bodily  debility,  was  obliged  to  resign  the  pastorate. 
He  continued  in  this  state,  under  the  care  of  his  beloved 
partner,  till  his  death,  in  1819. 

On  the  20th  August,  1815,  died,.  Mr.  George  Angus, 
aged  ninety  years.  He  was  the  only  son  of  Mr.  Jona- 
than Angus,  of  Panshields,  and  was  born  in  1725.  He 
had  been  baptized  in  his  twentieth  year>  in  1745,  and 
twenty-five  years  afterwards,  when  his  father  was 
above  ninety,  in  1770,  he  was  elected  deacon  of  the 
united  church  of  Hamsterley,  Rowley,  &c.  He  re- 
tained this  office,  till,  in  1785,  the  church  divided,  when 
Mr.  Angus  went  with  the  northern  part  of  the  commu- 
nity, and  became  their  deacon,  which  office  he  held  till 
he  died.  Mr.  Angus  long  held  the  farm  of  Styford,  on 
the  North  side  of  the  Tyne,  about  five  miles  below 
Hexham.  Previous,  however,  to  his  death,  he  had 
given  it  up,  and  resided  along  with  his  aged  partner,  the 
great  grand-daughter  of  Mr.  Henry  Blacket,  of  Bitch- 
burn,  in  a  house  attached  to  the  hamlet  of  Broomley  ; 
the  farm  of  which  was  occupied  by  his  son-in-law, 
Mr.  John  Angus. 

Mr.  Fisher,  the  pastor  of  the  church  at  Broomley, 
thus  sums  up  the  character  of  this  venerable  man:  "He 
was  an  exemplary  Christian;  few  men  have  passed 
through  life,  with  a  more  unsullied  character ;  and  few 
meii,  in  his  station,  have  dropped  into  the  grave  more 
esteemed.  He  was  a  lover  of  good  men,  and  much 
given  to  hospitality.  His  house  and  heart  were  ever  open 
to  receive  the  servants  of  Christ.  He  was  a  man  of 
much  prayer,  a  diligent  reader  of  his  Bible,  and  a  lover 
of  the  house  of  God.  He  travelled  to  Rowley,  nearly 
ten  miles  distant  from  his  residence,  once  a  fortnight,  and 
his  seat  was  rarely  empty.  When  the  cause  at  Rowley* 
&c.,  at  nearly  the  close  of  his  life,  was  very  low,  he 
earnestly  intreated  his  brethren  to  keep  together,  and 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  257 

assured  them  that  God  would  yet  appear  for  them.  In 
his  last  illness  he  enjoyed  strong  confidence  in  God. 
Some  of  his  last  expressions  were,  '  The  Lord  liveth, 
and  blessed  be  my  rock,  and  let  the  God  of  my  "salva- 
tion be  exalted.  Why  are  his  chariot  wheels  so  long  in  ' 
coming !'  " 

Mr.  Whitfield,  in  his  .memoir  of  Mr.  Angus,  gives  a 
very  touching  account  of  the  dying  scene  of  his  aged 
friend.  "  Though  twenty-five  miles  distant,''  says  he, "  I 
visited  him  for  the  last  time,  on  the  day  on  which  he 
died.  I  found  him  very  weak,  hardly  able  to  speak  so 
as  to  be  understood.  He  said  he  was  comfortable,  and 
hoped  his  Lord  and  Master  would  soon  come  and  take 
him  to  himself.  So  saying,  he  fell  into  a  soft  sleep. 
This  was  late  in  the  afternoon.  In  the  evening,  having 
been  taken  out  of  bed,  he  gave  orders  that  so  soon  as 
he  was  put  to  bed'  again,  I  might  be  sent  for  to  pray 
with  him.  Being  only  in  the  next  house,  I  was  soon 
there.  He  was  breathing  softly.  I  knelt  down  with 
his  wife  and  children  present,  and  prayed  for  them  all, 
and  particularly  for  support,  a  peaceful  dismission,  &c. 
During,  or  before  the  conclusion,  it  was  discovered  that 
he  had  ceased  to  breathe,  and  that  his  immortal  spirit 
had  returned  to  God  who  gave  it.  The  curtain  with- 
drawn, the  sight  of  his  position,  powerfully  revived  in 
my  mind  the  words  of  Watts,  on  the  death  of  Moses. 

'  Softly  his  fainting  head  he  lay 

Upon  his  maker's  breast, 
His  maker  kissed  his  soul  away 
And  laid  his  flesh  to  rest.'"" 

•  Mr.  Angus  was  interred  in  hia  own  family  burying  ground, 
nt  Broomhaugh.  He  was  married  thrice.  His  first  wife,  was 
Deborah,  daughter  of  Mr.  John  Angus,  of  Styford,  son  to  George, 
brother  of  Mr.  Henry  Angus,  of  Raw-house.  The  children  of 
ihis  marriage  foon  died.  His  second  wife,  was  Ann  Dixon,  by 
-whom  he  had  two  daughters :  Grace,  afterwards  Mrs.  George 
Angus,  of  Hindley ;  and  Priscilla,  wife  of  Mr.  "William  Angus, 

Y  3 


258  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

1816.— On  the  death  of  Mr.  Imeary,  of  North  Shields, 
the  pulpit  became  vacant.  Dr.  Steadman,  of  the 
Northern  Education  Society,  was  applied  to,  to  send  a 
student  on  probation.  The  doctor  sent  Mr.  James  "Wil- 
liamson, a  member  of  the  church  at  Rochdale.  His 
services  were  acceptable,  and  he  was  ordained,  March 
26th,  1816.  Mr.  Pengilly  stated  the  nature  of  a 
Christian  church,  and  asked  the  usual  questions.  Dr. 
Steadman  gave  the  charge,  and  Mr.  Whitfield  preached 
to  the  people,  having,  previously  to  the  charge,  offered 
up  the  ordination  prayer.  Three  deacons  were  also 
ordained;  Dr.  Steadman  offering  up  the  ordination 
prayer,  and  Mr.  Whitfield  giving  the  charge. 

In  1816,  the  association  was  held  at  Rowley.  Two 
were  added  to  Mr.  Whitfield's  charge,  and  two  dismissed 
to  the  church  at  Bath.  The  ministers  of  Hamsterley 
and  Bedale,  Messrs.  Whitfield  and  Terry,  had  enjoyed 
the  pleasure  of  ordaining  Mr.  Darnborough,  over  the 
newly-formed  church  at  Boro'bridge,  on  the  1st  January, 
the  same  year.* 

of  Shilford,  His  last  wife,  was  Hannah  Blacket,  by  whom  he 
had  three  daughters:  Mary,  now  Mrs.  Angus,  of  Broomley;  De- 
borah, now  Mrs.  Atkinson,  of  Smelt- house;  and  Ann,  now 
Mrs.  Sartees,  of  Stamfordham. 

*  In  the  above  we  see,  as  already  noticed,  the  result  of  the 
schism  at  Hamsterley,  in  1752,  and  of  the  evangelistical  labours 
of  Mr.  David  Fernie,  at  Midlam.  At  that  place  Mr.  Terry  heard 
Mr.  Whitfield,  and  afterwards  was  baptized  by  him.  In  1811, 
October  20th,  Mr.  Terry  baptized  Mr..  Darnborough.  He  also 
baptized  Mr.  Morley,  of  Dishforth,  with  his  lady,  January  10th, 
1814.  Both  these  gentlemen  began  to  exert  themselves  in  extend- 
ing the  cause,  by  preaching  in  their  own  vicinities.  For  this 
purpose,  Mr.  Darnborough  hired  a  school-room,  at  Boro'bridge  ; 
and  Mr.  Morley,  at  Dishforth,  converted  a  house  of  his  own  into 
a  small  chapel.  The  students  at  Bradford  were  called  to  assist, 
and  some  of  them  settled  there,  and  were  useful.  Mr.  Darnborough 
died,  in  1824;  but  Mr.  Morley  still  lives.  May  the  churches 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  259 

Towards  the  close  of  1816,  a  secession  took  place, 
from  the  church  at  TuthilL-stairs.  About  twenty-eight 
of  the  members  separated  from  the  church ;  and,  for  a 
period,  worshipped  together  in  the  House  Carpenters' 
Hall,  Westgate,  Newcastle.*  The  cause  of  the  separa^ 
tion  has  no  historical  interest,  but  the  fact  itself  has,  as 
it  laid  the  foundation  of  a  new  church  in  Newcastle. 
The  new  community  received  supplies  from  different 
quarters,  for  the  space  of  two  years ;  and  the'  church  at 
Tuthill-stairs  held  on  its  way,  and  by  a  number  of  fresh 
additions,  soon  consoled  themselves,  for  those  they  had 
lost.  In  October,  1816,  Mr.  George  Sample,  who  had 
had  been  called  out  to  the  ministry,  by  the  church  at 
Tuthill-stairs,  and  had,  for  some  time,  supplied  the 
church  at  Rowley  and  Hindley,  went  to  Bradford 
college,  to  receive,  under  Dr.  Steadman,  instruction 
for  further  usefulness. 

181? — 1818. — In  1817,  the  association  was  held  at 
Stockton ;  and  in  1818,  on  the  22nd  March,  Mr.  Whit- 
field  opened  a  place  of  worship  at  Wojsingham,  about 
five  miles  from  Hamsterley,  in  order  to  the  diffusion  of 
the  gospel,  in  that  town  and  neighbourhood.  Some  of  the 
members  of  the  church  at  Hamsterley  resided  there,  and 
also  the  children  of  some  of  the  other  members.  "Wol- 
siugham  is  situated  in  a  beautiful  part  of  the  Wear  val- 
ley, where  Mr.  "Whitfield  himself  first  drew  breath: 
it  was  the  place  where  he  had  received  the  first  invita- 
tion to  preach  at  Hamsterley,  and  contains  about 
two  thousand  inhabitants.  All^  these  circumstances 
rendered  it  to  him  a  place  of  great  interest.  He 
therefore  resolved  to  make  an  effort  to  establish  the 

these  good  men  were  the  means  of  planting,  long  continue  to 
flourish. 

*  This  community  subsequently  erected  "  New  Court  Chapel." 
It  was  opened  in  Sept.,  1819;  Dr,  Steadman  and  others  officiating 
on  this  occasion. 


260  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Gospel  here :   the  results  of  which  will  appear  in  the 
succeeding  pages  of  our  history. 

In  May,  1818,  an  application  was  made  to  Dr. 
Steadman,  of  Bradford  college,  to  send  a  student  to 
preach  to  the  growing  population  of  South  Shields. 
One  was  sent  accordingly,  in  the  end  of  June,  and 
he  was  successful  in  collecting  a  congregation.  A 
small  church  was  also  formed,  on  the  3rd  September. 
Messrs.  Whitfield,  Williamson,  Sample,  Pengilly,  Fish- 
er, and  Douglas  were  present.  The  church  was  chiefly 
formed  of  individuals  who  had  been  members  of  the 
different  churches  of  North  Shields,  Newcastle,  Monk- 
wearmouth,  Hull,  &c. 

On  the  21st  October,  1818,  Mr.  Sample  having  left 
the  college  at  Bradford,  on  being  previously  invited  by 
the  new  church,  meeting  in  the  Carpenters'  Hall, 
Newcastle,  was  ordained  over  them  as  pastor.  Dr. 
Steadman  offered  the  ordination  prayer,  and  gave  the 
charge,  from  2nd  Timothy  i.  7 ;  and  Mr.  C.  Anderson, 
of  Edinburgh,  addressed  the  church,  from  1st  Thes- 
salonians  iii.  8. 

The  association  was  held  in  1818,  at  North  Shields; 
none  seem  to  have  been  added  to  Mr.  Whitfield's  charge 
this  year,  and  as  to  those  who  had  died,  or  were  dis- 
missed, we  have  no  record. 

1819.*— On  the  23rd  April,  1819,  as  Mr.  Whitfield 

••  In  1819,  22nd  July,  Mr.  Terry,  of  Bedale,  died,  after  an 
unexampled  career  of  unwearied  labour,  in  his  Master's  cause,  of 
twenty-five  years.  In  histfcun  peculiar  manner  he  often  preached, 
expounded,  or  exhorted,  four  or  five  times  on  the  Lord's  day,  and 
very  frequently  on  the  week  day  evenings.  He  often  walked 
twelve  or  fourteen  miles  on  the  Sabbath,  and  five  or  six  on  a  week 
day  evening.  He  all  along  worked  at  his  employment  of  a  watch 
maker,  and  spent  the  greater  portion  of  his  property  in  furthering 
the  cause.  He  was  occasionally  assisted  by  the  students  from 
Bradford,  jwhom  he  always  heard  with  affection.  He  lived  to  see 
the  cause  prosper,  and  when  dying  it  was  the  welfare  of  the  cause 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  261 

.was  in  the  act  of  composing  a  sermon,  on  Genesis 
xix.  24,  25,  he  was  struck  with  paralysis.  He  becante 
thereby  totally  unable  to  fulfil  his  public  engagements, 
and  Dr.  Steadman  was  requested  by  the  church  to  send 
a  supply.  Mr.  Gilmour,  now  of  Canada,  supplied  for 
about  four  months;  and  he  was  succeeded  by  Mr. 
Larom,  now  of  Sheffield,  who  remained  nearly  two 
months.  Each  received  an  invitation  to  take  on  him 

i  

the  pastoral  relation;  but  both  declined.  There  is  no 
record  of  that  church  for  this  year.  The  'association 
was,  in  1819,  held  at  Newcastle,  at  the  usual  time. 

1820— On  the  6th  February,  1820,  the  writer  of  this 
narrative  came  to  Hamsterley,  for  the  first  time,  on  the 
application  of  Mr.  Whitfield  himself.  He  remained  a 
month,  and  returned  to  Bradford ;  but  as  his  term  of 
residence  there  expired  about  the  middle  of  that  year, 
he  supplied  the  pulpit  at  Hamsterley  for  about  other 
three  months.  He  received  an  invitation  to  remain ; 
but,  from  a  previous  engagement,  he  declined  it  at  that 
time.  Mr.  Paul,  another  of  the  students  at  Bradford, 
had  supplied  in  the  preceding  summer  months. 

Mr.  JFi^er  was  ordained  at  Eowley,  on  April  4th, 
this  year.  He  had  studied  under  Mr.  Pengilly,  at 
Newcastle,  for  some  time,  and  had  in  the  interim  sup- 
plied the  pulpit  at  Rowley  and  Hindley.  Mr.  William- 
son stated  the  nature  of  a  Christian  church,  and  asked 
the  usual  questions ;  Mr.  Pengilly  offered  up  the  ordi- 
nation prayer,  and  gave  the  charge  from  1st  Timothy 
iv.  6 ;  and  Mr.  Sample  addressed  the  church,  from  Ezra 
x.  4.  The  ordained  minister  concluded  by  a  short 
prayer  and  address.  The  association  was  held  this 
year  at  Rowley. 

that  lay  nearest  his  heart.  "  Oh,  what  will  become  of  the 
church?"  said  he  to  his  friend  and  fellow  labourer,  Mr.  Attey. 
Mr.  A.  replied,  "Christ  will  take  care  of  it."  Christ  has  done  so! 


262  HISTOBY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHTJBCHES 

1821. — On  the  26th  April,  this  year,  died,  Mr.  James 
Jopling,  senior  deacon  of  the  church  at  Hamsterley, 
aged  68.  He  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Whitfield,  in  his 
twenty-second  year,  in  1773,  and  became  a  deacon  of 
the  church  in  1791.  In  this  office  he  continued  for  up- 
wards of  thirty  years,  discharging  with  the  greatest 
punctuality  its  varied  duties,  so  far  as  his  different  resi- 
dences in  the  neighbourhood  would  permit.  A  saying 
of  his  is  frequently  recited  by  his  descendents;  "If  I 
can  go  to  the  market  on  a  week-day,  I  can  go  to  the  house 
of  God  on  the  Lord's  day ;"  and  by  this  maxim  his  con- 
duct towards  divine  worship  was  constantly  regulated. 
His  natural  temper  was  not  good,  as  it  had  in  it,  as  mani- 
fested occasionally,  a  mixture  of  both  the  irritable  and 
the  sullen.  But  with  all  this,  he  was,  take  him  all  in 
all,  a  good  man,  devout  towards  God,  friendly  towards 
his  neighbours,  and  affectionate  towards  his  minister, 
his  fellow  members,  and  his  family.  He  desired  to  die 
before  Mr.  Whitfield,  and  he  got  his  wish.  His  pastor 
warmly  loved  him,  and  he,  and  other  friends  were 
grateful,  that  amidst  the  paroxyms  of  expiring  na- 
ture, Mr,  Jopling  enjoyed  such  strong  consolation,  and 
such  a  good  hope  through  grace.* 

The  association  was  held  at  Hamsterley  in  1821,t 
at  the  usual  period  of  Whitsuntide;  and  soon  after, 

*  Mr.  Jopling  had  eight  children,  most  of  whom  were  added  to 
the  church  at  Hamsterley.  His  third  son,  John,  married  to  Miss 
Garthoni,  went  to  Canada,  and  was  the  means  of  planting  a 
church  there,  of  which  himself,  Mrs.  Jopling,  and  his  nine  child- 
ren were  memhers.  His  son-in-law  Mr.  Tapscot,  late  of  South 
Shields,  became  the  pastor.  At  Hamsterley,  Mr.  Jopling's  eldest 
son  succeeded  him  as  deacon,  and  his  second  son  is  a  trustee  of 
the  church's  property. 

t  Several  of  the  Yorkshire  and  Lancashire  churches  came  into 
existence  at  this  time.  In  1811,  preaching  commenced  at  Mel  - 
tham,  in  the  West  Biding,  and  in  1813,  the  church  was  formed  : 
Mr.  "Webster  wa?  their  first  pastor.  The  church  at  Instip,  in 


IN  THE  NOBTH  OF  ENGLAND.        263 

another  attached  friend  of  Mr.  Whitfield's  left  this 
world  Just  a  little  before  he  himself  bade  it  adieu. 

This  friend  was  Mr.  John  Angus,  of  Broomley,  who 
died  on  the  21st  June.  Mr.  Angus  was  baptized  20th 
August,  1797,  in  his  twenty-fourth  year.  He  was 
elected  a  deacon  of  the  church  at  Rowley,  in  1800. 
This  office  he  held  with  great  honour  to  himself,  and 
benefit  to  the  church,  till  his  death.  Mr.  Fisher,  his 
pastor,  thus  refers  to  his  Christian  character  :  "In  him 
the  church  has  lost  a  steady  friend  and  a  liberal  support- 
er. Seldom  was  his  seat  empty,  except  from  sickness. 
He  was  a  man  of  great  firmness  and  integrity  of  charac- 
ter, and  of  great  hospitality  to  the  servants  of  Christ. 
From  the  nature  and  severity  of  his  last  illness,  little 
could  be  obtained  from  him  of  his  views  and  hopes  of 
eternity ;  but  that  b'ttle  was  satisfactory  to  his  friends. 
He  had  no  rapturous  joys,  but  his  hopes  seemed  firmly 
fixed  upon  Christ.  Long  will  his  memory  be  cherished 
by  his  bereaved  family,  his  friends,  his  Christian  bre- 
thren, and  a  large  number  of  friends.  He  died  in  the 
sixty-third  year  of  his  age."* 

On  the  18th  of  the  ensuing  month,  Mr.  Whitfield  was 
called  to  the  enjoyment  of  his  eternal  rest.  He  had 
now,  for  two  years  and  a  quarter,  been  the  subject  of  a 
paralytic  affection,  which  reduced  him  to  nearly  second 
childhood.  His  native  energy  of  character  was  seen 

Lancashire,  was  formed,  in  1817 :  Mr.  Lakelin,  their  minister. 
Wakefield,  in  Yorkshire,  in  1818.  Early,  Osset,  and  Kilham, 
were  orignated,  in  1819.  Slacklane,  in  1820,  and  the  second 
church  Haworth,  Yorkshire;  the  second  church  at  Bacup  and 
Bolton,  in  Lancashire,  in  1821.  Chapel  Fold,  Yorkshire;  March 
25th,  1821 :  Mr.  Facer  first  pastor,  in  1832. 

*  Mr.  Angus  was  the  fifth  son  of  Mr.  Jonathan  Angus,  son  of 
William,  eldest  son  of  the  first  Henry,  of  RawvHouse.  He  mar- 
ried Mary,  third  daughter  of  Mr.  George  Angus,  of  Styford,  and 
had  by  her  fire  sons  and  three  daughters. 


264  HISTOBY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

however,  still  in  Ms  broken  condition.  He  was  ever  at 
the  meetings,  when  held,  till  within  a  short  period  of 
his  death.  He  also  attempted  to  write  with  Ms  left 
hand,  and  so  far  attained  his  object,  as  to  do  so  quite 
legibly. 

Of  Mr.  "Whitfield's  characteristics  in  point  of  capacity, 
disposition,  conduct,  and  motives,  little  more  now  need 
be  said  than  what  has  been  presented  in  the  foregoing 
narrative,  detailing  his  useful  career,  both  in  the  church 
over  which  he  had  been  nearly  fifty  years  the  overseer, 
and  also  towards  others  in  the  association. 

As  a  pastor,  Mr.  Whitfield  was  distinguished  by  two 
qualities  in  particular;  he  was  diligent  and  affec- 
tionate. As  regards  his  assiduity,  we  have  already  re- 
ferred to  his  studying  five  hours  a  day,  while  he  was  an 
apprentice,  besides  attending  to  all  Ms  other  duties  to  Ms 
master  in  business  hours.  This  disposition  he  carried 
with  Mm  into  the  ministry.  He  read  every  useful  book 
that  came  within  his  reach;  and,  considering  Ms  means, 
his  library  was  not  a  small  one.  Besides  English  works 
on  theology,  Biblical  criticism,  &c.,  he  had  a  number  of 
Latin,  Greek,  and  Hebrew  works  of  a  superior  charac- 
ter ;  all  of  which,  but  particularly  the  Hebrew,  he  was 
able  to  peruse  with  great  advantage.  In  composing  Ms 
sermons,  his  care  and  diligence  were  very  conspicuous. 
He  generally  wrote  out  Ms  sermons  in  full ;  and  of  the 
many  he  thus  composed,  he  selected  annually  as  many 
as  formed  a  volume,  which  he  bound ;  and  thus,  by  the 
time  of  his  decease,  he  had  collected  about  fifty  volumes 
of  his  own  sermons  in  manuscript.  But  he  was  not  only 
assiduous  in  preparing  for  preaching,  but  in  attending  to 
the  hour  of  worship  with  extreme  punctuality.  "Whoever 
was  absent,  Mr.  "Whitfield  was  always  there  in  time. 
This  was  the  case  with  Mm  even  when  living  at  the 
distance  of  two  miles  from  Hamsterley.  At  prayer 
meetings  through  the  week,  and  on  the  Lord's  day, -Mr, 


IN  THE  NORTH  OJ?  ENGLAND.  265 

"Whitfield  was  ever  first.  His  diligence  in  point  of 
family  economy  has  been  already  referred  to. 

But  Mr.  "Whitfield  was  affectionate  as  well  as  diligent. 
He  was  so  to  the  people  of  his  charge.  He  loved  them 
dearly.  It  is  true  he  was  like  other  men,  he  loved  those 
most  who  to  him  seemed  most  to  deserve  it,  and  those 
personally  attached  had  usually  a  good  return.  He 
loved  not  only  his  charge,  but  all  in  the  village  and 
vicinity,  in  which  it  was  his  lot,  for  about  fifty  years,  to 
dwell.  An  anecdote  has  been  told  of  him,  that,  when 
he  died,  he  said,  if  they  saw  his  heart,  they  would  find 
Hamsterley  written  on  it.  "Whether  the  anecdote  is 
correct  or  not,  it  shews  the  impression  made  on  the 
minds  of  others  regarding  his  extreme  attachment  to  the 
place  of  his  charge.  The  writer  liad  the  anecdote  from 
a  most  respectable  and  learned  individual.  As  testifying 
with  certainty,  however,  his  attachment  to  the  village, 
he  got  up  a  day  school  in  it,  for  the  benefit  of  those  who 
were  unable  to  educate  their  children.  Through  his 
influence,  several  of  his  wealthier  friends  became  sub- 
scribers ;  and  he  was  himself,  with  all  his  scantiness 
of  means,  amongst  the  highest  of  the  subscribers, 
and  continued  his  subscription  when  most  others  had 
failed. 

Mr.  "Whitfield  was  not  a  great  visitor  of  his  people, 
but  he  was  ever  at  the  bedside  of  the  afflicted,  when  he 
could  do  them  good ;  and  his  hand  was  ever  open  to  re- 
lieve the  distressed,  to  the  utmost  of  his  power. 

Mr.  "Whitfield,  was  a  friend  to  other  churches  as 
well  as  his  own.  Over  Rowley,  Newcastle,  Stockton, 
and  indeed  more,  or  less,  all  the  other  churches  in  the 
association,  he  ever  cast  a  wakeful  eye;  and,  to  the 
utmost  of  his  ability,  either  personally,  or  through  his 
influence,  gave  them  assistance,  at  critical  periods.  It 
was  the  same  in  relation  to  their  ministers.  Towards 

Z 


266  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Mr.  Hartley  and  others,  his  equals,  he  acted  a  truly  fra-r 
ternal  part,  and  discovered  the  heart  of  a  father  towards, 
his  juniers.  For  a  number  of  years,  it  might  be  truly 
said,  that  he  was  the  head,  the  heart,  and  the  hand  of  the 
association,  in  both  the  eastern  and  western  districts  of 
the  four  Northern  counties.  Towards  the  whole  Baptist 
Denomination,  Mr.  Whitfield  was  an  attached  member, 
and  its  Missions — Home,  Irish,  and  Foreign — he  en- 
deavoured to  sustain,  to  the  utmost  of  his  capability. 
He  was  also  a  lover  of  all  good  men,  and  good  ministers, 
as  well  as  a  lover  of  the  immprtal  interests  of  his  fellow- 
creatures  generally,  as  attested  by  his  unwearied  la- 
bours connected  with  the  Evangelical  Association. 

Mr.  Whitfield' s  views  were  in  accordance  with  those 
of  Mr.  Fuller.  He  was  a  moderate  Calvinist,  and  a 
strict  Baptist,  though  a  lover  of  all  who  love  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity.  His  personal  appearance  was 
good.  He  was  tall,  portly,  and  of  goodly  aspect.  He 
appeared  well  in  the  pulpit,  but  was  never  popular  as  a 
preacher,  from  the  circumlocution  that  usually  attended 
his  explanations,  and  an  ever-recurring  hem,  in  his 
enunciation,  owing  to  an  asthmatic  affection. 

Mr.  "Whitfield  had  many  excellencies,  and  if  he  had 
not  had  a  few  faults,  he  would  not  have  been  mortal. 
He  was,  naturally,  of  a  sanguine  temperament,  and  while 
he  had  a  large  portion  of  the  good  of  that  temperament, 
he  had  a  share  of  the  evil.  He  was  warm  in  his  temper, 
and,  sometimes,  rather  overbearing  in  his  manner.  From 
his  attachment  to  legal  studies,  he  occasionally  was  able 
to  give  good  advice  to  his  friends ;  but,  as  his  knowledge 
on  this  intricate  subject  must  have  been  very  incom- 
plete, he  sometimes,  unhappily,  led  both  himself  and 
them  wrong.  But,  generally  speaking,  his  endeavour,  as 
far  as  he  knew  it,  was  to  act  uprightly  in  all  his  doings. 
His  re-cord,  however,  is  now -on  high.  He  is  now  per- 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  267 

sonally  beyond  the  reach  of  either  the  praises  or  cen- 
sures of  mortals. 

Mr.  Whitfield's  funeral  sermon  was  preached,  by  Mr. 
Pengilly,  from  2nd  Timothy  iv.  6,  7 ;  and  the  church 
and  congregation  erected  a  stone  in  the  grave-yard  of 
the  chapel,  where  he  had  laboured  for  upwards  of  fifty 
years,  to  perpetuate  their  sense  of  his  worth,  and  to 
testify  to  future  generations,  the  high  esteem  in  which 
they  held  his  character.  He  died,  18th  July,  1821, 
aged  73. 


268  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 


PERIOD  FIFTH-PROM  1822  TO  1845, 


CHAPTEK  I. 

Character  of  this  new  period. — Missionary  designated.  — Mr. 
Douglas. — Mr.  Hartley. — Mr.  Ingham. — Mrs-  G-.  Angus. — 
South  Shields. — Mrs.  Douglas. —  Darlington. — Mr.  Leng. — 
Rowley — South  Shields — Mr.  Harbottle.— Newcastle,  Mr. 
Banks. — Mrs.  Mark. — Dr.  Ryland.— Mr.  Joseph  Forster. — 
Middleton,  Mr.  Stagg. — Mr.  Roe. — South  Shields. — Masham, 
&c. —  Wolsingham,  Mr.  Thomson. — Berwick. — Mr.  W.  BL 
Angas. — Mr.  Tapscott. — Messrs.  Kinghorn  and  Hall. — Forest. 
— Brough. — Mr.  Sneath —  Mr  Roe.  — Maryport. — Ravenglas. — 
Hindley,  Broomley,  and  Shotley  Field. — Newcastle,  Providence 
Chapel,  R.  B.  Sanderson,  Esqr — Bedlington. — Dr.  Steadman. 
— Mr,  Edward  Wilkinson. — Dr.  Marshman,  &c. — Mr.  Wil- 
liamson.— Mr.  Soppit,  and  Mrs  Marshall. — Eusehius. 

The  period  at  which  we  have  now  arrived  is  one  of 
such  recent  date,  that,  even  the  earlier  part  of  its  events, 
will  be  well  known  to  many  of  the  memhers  in  our 
churches.  As  reminding  them  of  circumstances  endeared 
to  memory,  our  relation,  then,  will,  so  far,  possess  an  in- 
terest to  them ;  hut  the  gratification  of  mere  curiosity,  on 
contemplating  the  antique,  can  no  longer  be  an  ingredi- 
ent in  its  perusal.  Modesty,  also,  we  are  not  to  forget, 
suggests  to  the  living,  the  idea  of  silence  regarding  their 
own  individual  actions,  leaving  these  to  be  recorded  by 
the  biographer  of  another  day ;  but  the  incidents  in 
which  numbers  have  shared  may  be  noticed  without 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.       269 

impropriety ;  and  memorials  of  the  pious  dead  may  be 
given,  with  high  advantage  to  the  moral  and  spiritual 
benefit  of  the  living.  "With  the  exception,  then,  of  these, 
our  future  narrative  will  be  as  brief  as  possible ;  omit- 
ting at  the  same  time  nothing  that  would  render  it  in- 
complete, or  cause  a  long  range  of  desiderata  at  a  future 
period. 

1822. — In  the  month  of  March,  this  year,  a  mission- 
ary was  designated  at  Newcastle,  as  an  agent  of  the 
Baptist  Missionary  Society,  to  go  to  Belize,  in  the  Bay 
of  Honduras.  G.  F.  Angas,  Esqr.,  having  a  vessel  en- 
gaged in  the  mahogany  trade,  .about  to  proceed  to  that 
bay,  kindly  proposed  to  the  committee  of  the  society, 
to  send  out  a  missionary  free  of  expense.  To  this  they 
assented,  and  the  designation  took  place  accordingly, 
in  New  Court  Chapel;  Dr.  Steadman,  of  Bradford,  pre- 
siding on  the  occasion. 

On  the  17th  July,  this  year,  Mr.  Douglas  having  been 
again  invited  to  supply  the  place  of  Mr.  "Whitfield,  was 
ordained  at  Hamsterley.  Mr.  Pengilly  stated  the  na- 
ture of  a  Christian  church;  Mr.  Anderson,  of  Edinburgh, 
Mr.  D.'s  pastor,  gave  the  charge ;  and  Dr.  Steadman, 
Mr.  D.'s  tutor,  offered  the  ordination  prayer,  and 
preached  to  the  church  and  congregation. 

Mr.  Hartley,  of  Stockton,  died,  on  the  5th  September, 
the  same  same  year,  aged  eighty-two.  He  was  born  in 
1740,  and  was  early  brought  under  the  influence  of  re- 
ligion, by  the  pious  instructions  of  his  mother";  was 
baptized  by  Dr.  Fawcett ;  and  was  ordained  at  Halifax 
in  1772.  He  removed  to  Bingley-,  in  1779;  came  to 
Newcastle  as  already  stated,  in  1790;  and  was  recalled 
to  Halifax,  in  1791 ;  from  whence  he  removed  to  Lock- 
wood,  in  1795,  and  was  there  rendered  very  useful. 
Owing,  however,  to  the  scattering  of  his  people,  for  want 
of  employment,  he  felt  obliged  to  leave.  He  came  again 
to  Newcastle,  and  finally  settled  at  Stockton,  in  1809. 

z  3 


270  HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Here,  by  his  affability  and  industry,  he  was  enabled  to 
procure  the  chapel  in  "West  Row;  and  the  spiritual  fabric 
also  advanced  under  his  pious  and  useful  administra- 
tions, till  he  sunk  into  dotage,  sometime  before  his 
death.  The  whole  course  of  his  lengthened  ministry  of 
fifty  years,  if  not  remarkable,  was,  at  least,  respectable, 
in  the  best  sense  of  the  term ;  though  much  chequered  by 
numerous  trials,  as  he  had  been  providentially  called, 
amidst  his  different  removals,  to  follow  most  of  his  many 
children  to  the  grave.  Like  Daniel,  he  was  a  man 
greatly  beloved  by  all  that  knew  him,  for  the  affection 
of  his  heart,  the  amenity  of  his  manners,  and  the  purity 
of  his  life.  He  was  so  highly  esteemed  by  the  late 
B.  Inghain,  Esqr.,  that  he  left  him  an  annuity  of  twenty 
pounds  for  his  life.  His  end  was  peace.  See  his  me- 
moir, Baptist  Magazine,  December,  1822. 

On  the  morning  of  the  9th  of  September,  the  same 
year,  died  Mrs.  Angus,  widow  of  the  late  Mr.  George 
Angus,  of  Styford.  She  rose  in  her  usual  health,  and 
while  engaged  in  domestic  matters,  fell  back  in  her 
chair,  and  expired.  Thus  dieda  at  the  age  of  eighty-four, 
says  her  pastor,  one  of  the  most  prudent,  conscientious, 
and  pious  Christians,  the  writer  ever  had  the  happiness 
of  knowing.  She  was  the  great-grand-daughter  of  Mr. 
H.  Blacket,  of  Bitchburn. 

1823.— On  the  first  of  January,  1823,  Mr.  George 
Brown,  late  of  Sabden,  having  accepted  an  invitation 
from  the  cHurch  at  South  Shields,  entered  on  his  labours, 
and  was  ordained  in  the  course  of  the  same  year. 

On  the  25th  February,  Mrs.  Douglas,  of  Hamsterley, 
died,  aged  thirty-one.  She  was  brought  to  the  know- 
ledge of  the  truth,  in  1810,  by  Mr.  Anderson,  of  Edin- 
burgh; was  married  July  26th,  1822,  and  died  seven 
months  afterward.  She  was  a  devoted  Christian,  and 
her  end  was  peace. 

On  the  2nd  Sabbath  of  April,  this  jsear,  a  small  place 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  271 

of  worship,  at  Darlington,  was  opened  by  Mr.  Douglas, 
of  Hamsterley.  Fair  prospects  unfolded  themselves  at 
this  time,  to  this  infant  cause,  under  the  superintendence 
of  Messrs.  Lightfoot  and  Heron,  who,  it  may  he  here 
mentioned,  were  afterwards  ordained  in  1831,  and  the 
cause  has  continued  amidst  a  variety  of  vicissitudes, 
under  the  guidance  of  the  former,  to  the  present  period 
— 1845.  May  Jehovah  bless  it,  and  make  it  a  thousand- 
fold so  many  more  than  it  is  ! 

On  the  25th  December,  1823,  Mr.  Leng,  from  Brad- 
ford College,  was  ordained  at  Stockton,  in  the  room  of 
Mr.  Hartley,  by  his  tutor,  Dr.  Steadman;  and  his 
pastor,  Mr.  Arbon,  of  Hull,  offered  the  ordination  prayer 
and  addressed  the  church. 

1824. — A  new  chapel,  erected  on  the  site  of  the  old 
one,  was  opened  25th  February,  1824,  at  Rowley,  by 
Messrs.  Pengilly  and  Sample.  A  new  impetus  was 
given  to  the  ancient  cause,  in  this  bleak  neighbourhood, 
in  consequence. 

In  the  month  of  August,  this  year,  the  church  in 
South  Shields  divided;  the  minister,  with  part  of  the 
church  and  congregation  seceding,  worshipped  in  a  dis- 
tinct part  of  the  town.  Those  remaining  in  Barringtou 
chapel,  gave  an  invitation  to  Mr.  Crook,  of  Horton  Col- 
lege, near  Bradford,  which  he  accepted,  and  commenced 
his  labours,  10th  October,  1824.* 

*  In  1824,  August  18th,  aged  seventy-five,  died  Mr.  Thomas 
Harbottle,  of  Tottlebank.  At  that  place,  he  had  laboured  for  about 
forty-three  years.  Unlike  to  many,  however,  his  last  years  were 
among  his  most  useful  and  happy.  During  the  last  four  of  these, 
he  baptized  five  young  men,  who  were  afterwards  called  to  the 
ministry.  The  youngest  was  his  own  grandson,  bearing  his  own 
name.  This  young  man,  after  being  honoured  as  the  means  of 
gathering  a  congregation  at  Havre  de  Grace,  in  France,  and  sub- 
sequently one  in  the  populous  neighbourhood  of  Heywood,  in  Lan- 
cashire, died  at  the  latter  place,  in  1839.  Out  of  Mr.  Harbottle's 
six  children,  four  of  them  had  preceded  him  to  the  grave,  but  his 


272  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

1825.* — On  the  22nd  May,  this  year,  a  small  church 
was  formed,  in  the  "Weavers'  Tower,  Newcastle,  Mr. 
Robert  Banks  being  ordained  pastor  the  same  day,  as 
also  two  deacons;  Mr.  Cormack,  of  Sunderland,  assisting 
on  the  occasion.  This  church  took  its  rise  from  two 
members  of  the  church  at  New  Court  seceding  from  that 
community,  regarding  worship  as  conducted  by  the  Bap- 
tists in  Scotland,  in  relation  to  the  weekly  observance 
of  the  Lord's  supper,  the  mutual  exhortations  and  pray- 
ers of  the  brethren  in  the  church,  on  the  Lord's  day,  and 
a  plurality  of  elders,  chiefly  supporting  themselves,  as 
more  congenial  to  the  order  of  the  first  churches,  as 
exhibited  in  the  New  Testament.  Their  withdrawal 
from  New  Court,  was  accompanied  with  very  satisfac- 
tory testimonials  in  their  favour,  early  in  1825.+ 

widow  survived  upwards  of  four  years.  Mr.  Joseph  Harbottle, 
one  of  his  sons,  has  the  high  honour,  not  only  of  being  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  church,  at  Accrington,  Lancashire,  but  also  classical 
tutor  of  the  rising  college  in  that  place. 

*  It  was  in  1825,  that  Dr.  Ryland,  of  Bristol,  died,  aged  seventy- 
two.  He  succeeded  Mr.  Fuller,  as  secretary  to  the  Baptist  mission, 
and  continued  in  that  office  assisted  by  Mr.  Hinton,  of  Oxford,  to 
1818,  when  Mr.  Dyer  was  elected.  Mr.  D.  was  succeeded  by  his 
colleague  in  office,  Mr.  Joseph  Angus,  in  1841.  Mr.  Angus  was 
originally  a  member  of  the  church  at  Tuthiil-stairs,  Newcastle, 
and  called  by  them  to  preach  the  gospel.  His  great-grandfather 
was  Mr.  "William  Angus,  of  Summerfield.  In  this  instance  and 
others,  the  North  has  repaid  London  and  the  Denomination 
generally,  for  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Tillam,  &c.,  in  the  days  of 
the  Commonwealth. 

f  Mrs.  Mark,  a  very  pious  member  of  the  church  at  Hamsterley, 
died,  the  same  year,  December  3rd.  In  early  life  she  was  very 
gay,  but  in  her  twentieth  year,  was  led  to  think  of  the  importance 
of  preparedness  for  death,  on  account  of  an  escape  she  had  had  from 
falling  into  a  pit.  She  afterwards  enjoyed  peace  in  believing,  from 
attending  among  the  Methodists,  In  her  diary,  in  each  returning 
year,  she  refers  to  September  20th,  as  the  day  on  which  she  had  been 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  2?3 

1826. — On  January  27th,  this  year,  died  Mr.  Joseph 
Forster,  of  Scarborough,  aged  twenty-five.  He  was  horn 

delivered  from  both  temporal  and  eternal  death.  We  give  the  fol- 
lowing instance: — "1805,  September  20th,  thirteen  years  have 
rolled  round  since  that  remarkable  preservation  of  going  down  into 
the  pit.  Since  then,  I  have  received  from  a  gracious  (-rod,  many 
favours.  I  have  been  awakened  to  a  sense  of  extreme  danger,  led 
to  cast  my  soul  on  the  atonement,  experienced  heavenly  consola- 
tion and  reconciliation,  through  the  infinite  merit  of  the  great  Re- 
deemer. '  Praise  the  Lord,  O  my  soul,  and  all  within  me  shout 
his  praise.'"  Under  date  of  February  13th,  1809,  we  have  the 
following  family  reference : — "  It  will  be  a  fortnight  tormorrow 
since  we  buried  our  little  daughter.  Thus,  two  are  taken  and  two 
are  left.  O  should  the  remaining  two  be  spared  to  grow  up,  may 
they  be  early  the  subjects  of  redeeming  grace,  and  may  their  pa- 
rents be  taught,  by  the  loss  of  our  little  ones,  so  to  number  our 
days,  that  we  may  apply  our  hearts  unto  wisdom."  In  the  same 
year,  she  joined  the  Baptist  church  at  Hamsterley,  and  refers  to 
the  circumstance  in  the  following  entry : — "September  3rd,  being 
convinced,  for  some  time,  of  believers'  baptism  as  a  divine  institu- 
tion, and  positive  command  in  the  New  Testament,  I  was  enabled 
publicly  to  give  myself  to  Christ,  in  baptism,  21st  May.  My 
husband  has  been,  added  to  the  church  to  day — What  hath  God 
wrought  \"  1810,  June  3rd,  "  Had  the  privilege  of  receiving  the 
Lord's  supper  that  day ;  which  advantage  I  have  enjoyed  every  first 
Lord's  day  in  each  month.  What  a  favour  is  this !  No  wonder  the 
enemy  left  no  stone  unturned  to  hinder  me  from  joining  the  Bap- 
tist church.  Lord  help  me  to  walk  worthy  of  my  vocation !"  18]  1, 
Dec.  29th,  "  Another  year  is  nearly  concluded.  How  many  events 
occur  in  twelve  months,  even  in  the  narrow  circle  in  which  I 
move !  These  have  caused  me  to  cry  out, '  Fly  swifter  round,  ye 
wheels  of  time,  and  bring  the  welcome  day.'  Welcome  as  rest  to 
the  weary  traveller,  or  as  ease  to  those  who  have  been  long  inured 
to  pain,  so  would  death  be  to  my  weary  soul,  which  is  grown  tired 
of  her  prison,  and  longs  and  sighs  for  liberty.  Gladly  would  she 
quit  those  shores  of  mortality,  and  soar  to  regions  of  eternal  day. 
Well,  'we,'  saith  an  apostle,  'have  need  of  patience,  that  after 
we  have  done  the  will  of  God  we  may  inherit  the  promises.'  Hold 
put  then,  faith  and  patience,  a  little  longer,  and  all  will  soon  be 
over !" 


274  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

at  Powburn,  Northumberland,  May  25th,  1801.  In  his 
sixteenth  year  he  was  brought  to  know,  trust,  and 
love  the  sinner's  friend;  and  was  baptized  in  his 
seventeenth  year,  by  Mr.  Sample,  of  Newcastle.  In 
1820,  he  was  called  to  the  ministry,  and  soon  after 
went  to  Horton  College.  After  finishing  his  studies,  he 
was  ordained,  November  3rd,  1824,  over  the  church  at 
Scarborough.  In  less  than  twelve  months  after  his  or- 
dination twenty  persons  were  added  to  the  church,  and 
everything  afforded  promise  of  extensive  usefulness, 
when  his  days  were  cut  off  in  their  midst.  For  years  he 
had  had  ah  affection  in  the  chest,  which  often  prevented 
his  studies  and  public  ministrations,  and  now  hastened 
him  by  rapid  strides  to  the  grave.  In  September,  1825, 
he  went  to  his  brother's  ordination,  at  Blackburn,  and 
there  was  seized  with  his  last  illness.  When  told  of 
his  situation,  he  said,  "All  is  well;"  and  within  two 
days  of  his  death,  he  said,  "  I  have  no  raptures,  but  I 
have  no  doubts."  He  sweetly  dwelt  on  several  portions 
of  Scripture,  particularly  Isaiah  xxxiii.  17,  "  Thine  eye 
shall  see  the  King  in  his  beauty."  His  last  words 
were,  "That's  right,  all  is  right,"  and  then  expired 
without  a  struggle  or  a  sigh. 

1827— 1828.— On  the  21st  June,  1827,  a  new  chapel 
was  opened,  at  Middleton,  Teesdale,  by  Dr.  Steadman, 
and  Mr.  Godwin  of  Horton  College,  near  Bradford. 
Like  many  other  circumstances,  which  unexpectedly 
tend  to  promote  the  cause  of  God,  this  arose,  so  far  as 
the  Baptist  denomination  was  concerned,  from  a  source 
altogether  unforeseen.  Several  of  the  members  of  the 
church  at  Hamsterley  having  settled  at  Middleton,  with 
their  families,  and  being  employed  in  the  lead  .mines, 
under  Robert  Stagg,  Esq.,  and  this  gentleman  being 
well  affected  to  the  Baptists,  owing  to  the  exertions  and 
character  of  their  missionaries  in  the  East  Indies,  &c., 
thought  that  it  might  prove  beneficial  to  the  neighbour- 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  270 

hood,  if  these  parties  were  united  as  a  Christian  church 
and  had  a  respectable  place  in  which  to  worship.  With 
this  view,  he  corresponded  with  Mr.  Douglas  of  Ham- 
sterley,  aiid  soon  after  kindly  erected  a  chapel,  and  a 
house  for  the  minister,  at  his  own  expense.  The  chapel 
was  opened  as  above  stated,  and  a  church  was,  soon 
after,  formed.  The  chapel,  for  some  months,  was  sup- 
plied by  students  from  the  College  at  Horton ;  and  Mr. 
C.  H.  Roe,  one  of  them,  was  chosen  as  pastor,  and  or- 
dained May  7th,  1828.  Mr.  Godwin,  in  the  absence  of 
Dr.  Steadman,  delivered  the  charge  to  the  minister ; 
and  Mr.  Acworth,  of  Leeds,  preached  to  the  people. 

1829— 1831.— At  South  Shields,  in  July,  1829,  Mr. 
Dawson  was  ordained  over  the  church  at  Barrington 
Street,  on  the  removal  of  Mr.  Crook,  who  left  in  1827. 
This  church  had  been  formed  anew  in  October,  1828. 
In  1830,  the  church  at  Masham  solicited  admission  into 
the  association.  It  was  granted;  and  the  annual  meet- 
ing was  held  there  in  1831.  Owing,  however,  to  the 
distance  of  Masham,  from  the  rest  of  the  associated 
churches,  it  was  deemed  better  for  the  Masham  people 
to  associate  with  the  churches  in  the  East  Biding!  Be- 
dale  and  Masham  have  passed  through  a  variety  of 
changes  since  the  death  of  their  excellent  founder,  Mr. 
Terry.  Each  place,  however,  is  now  favoured  with  an 
excellent  chapel. 

On  the  5th  May,  1831,  a  new  Chapel  was  opened  at 
"Wolsingham,  by  Dr.  Steadman,  and  Messrs.  Fisher^ 
Matheson,  and  Pengilly.  Mr.  Thomson,  who  had  la- 
boured here  for  two  years  with  considerable  success, 
and  whose  character  and  exertions  had  contributed 
mainly  to  the  erection  of  the  chapel,  was  ordained  at  the 
same  time.  The  church  was  composed  of  a  number  of 
the  members  of  the  church  at  Hanisterley,  and  the 
others  were  chiefly  the  result  of  the  personal  labours  of 


276  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

Mr.  Thomson.  During  the  three  following  years,  this 
church  enjoyed  a  good  measure  of  success,  as  in  1834, 
they  numbered  upwards  of  thirty ;  hut  during  that  year 
Mr.  Thomson  resigned,  and  went  to  Perth,  in  Scotland. 

1832. — The  church  at  B£rwick-on- Tweed,  formerly 
alluded  to,  had  their  meeting-honse  enlarged  this  year. 
It  had  been  originally  erected  in  1810,  having,  in  1809, 
obtained  the  eldership  of  Messrs.  Kirkwood  and  Bob- 
son;  and  several  most  respectable  individuals  have 
since  held  the  office  of  deacon.  From  its  commence- 
ment, this  church  has  been  greatly  honoured  of  God, 
inasmuch  as  five  brethren  have  been  called  out  as  mi- 
nisters of  the  word.  Mr.  Robert  Rutherford  went  to 
America,  in  1816,  where  he  laboured  for  twenty-four 
years,  and  died  in  1840.  Mr.  James  Mann  went  to 
Jamaica  in  1826,  where,  after  a  most  laborious  and  suc- 
cessful career  of  four  years,  he  died  in  1831.  In  1828, 
Mr.  Alexander  Anderson  left,  and  is  now  pastor  of  a 
Baptist  church,  at  Bures,  near  London.  In  1829,  Mr. 
John  Clarke,  Mr.  Kirkwood's  honoured  son-in-law, 
went  to  Jamaica,  and  laboured  there  for  ten  years ;  and 
is  now — 1845 — with  Dr.  Prince,  at  the  head  of  the  Bap- 
tist Mission,  at  Fernando-Po,  Africa.  Mr.  James 
Hume  went  to  Jamaica  in  1843,  and  is  now  pastor  of 
the  Baptist  church,  at  Mount  Hermon,  in  that  island. 
The  original  pastors  of  the  church  at  Berwick,  do  now, 
in  1845,  continue  their  labours  along  with  the  senior 
deacon,  and  have  still  tokens  of  the  Divine  goodness 
shewn  them.  Their  order  is  in  accordance  with  the 
Baptist  brethren  in  Scotland ;  but  entertaining  friendly 
feelings  towards  others,  and  holding  communion  with 
them. 

On  the  7th  September,  1832,  Mr.  William  Henry 
Angus  died  of  cholera,  then  passing  over,  not  only 
Britain,  but  the  whole  globe  ;  carrying  away  by  its  ter- 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        277 

swoop,  great  masses,  not  only  of  the  lower  classes, 
but  also  some  of  the  most  distinguished  both  of  the 
religious  and  learned  world. 

Mr.  Angas  had  been  through  life  a  remarkable  man,  as 
is  seen  in  his  memoir,  by  Dr.  Cox.  Tn  early  life  he  was 
brought  under  the  influence  of  religion,  to  which  he  ever 
afterwards  steadily  adhered  through  many  vicissitudes. 
He  was  trained  to  a  sea-faring  life,  in  the  pursuit  of 
which  he  was  exposed  to  many  dangers.  Once  he 
nearly  lost  his  life,  by  being  thrown  out  of  a  boat;  and 
at  another  time,  by  falling  into  the  hold  of  a  vessel, 
among  pigs  of  lead.  Some  time  afterwards,  the  ship 
in  which  he  was  sailing  to  the  Baltic,  was  captured  by 
the  French,  and  he  was  nearly  lost,  in  consequence  of 
the  wreck  of  the  vessel  that  carried  him  and  his  fellow 
prisoners  to  France;  but  was  most  opportunely  saved 
by  a  Flemish  fishing  boat.  Mr.  Angas  was  in  prison 
for  twenty  months,  where  he  had  only  straw  for  his  bed 
in  the  depth  of  the  winter,  and  nothing  but  horse  beans 
and  oil  for  food.  He  was  at  length  released  by  an  ex- 
change of  prisoners;  but  immediately  impressed  to 
serve  on  board  a  man-of-war.  His  father,  however, 
being  acquainted  with  the  admiral  of  the  fleet,  went  to 
him,  and  succeeded  in  procuring  his  son's  liberty. 

Mr.  Angas  now  became  captain  of  a  vessel  belonging 
to  his  father,  trading  to  the  "West  Indies,  &c.  In  this 
employment  he  continued  seven  years,  during  which  a 
variety  of  events  occurred,  which  shewed  him  the  su- 
perintending goodness  of  God,  the  plague  of  his  own 
heart,  and  the  supporting  influence  of  divine  grace.  The 
loss  of  his  elder  brother  Caleb,  was  to  him  a  deep  af- 
fliction, but  much  sanctified  to  his  spiritual  benefit. 
In  a  few  more  years  he  left  the  sea  service,  and  was 
baptized  by  Dr.  Bippon,  3rd  December,  1807,  by  whose 
church,  after  a  course  of  preparatory  study  at  Edin- 

2  A 


278  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUECHES 

burgh,  he  was  called  to  the  ministry,  in  August,  1817. 

Mr.  Angas  now  devoted  himself  to  the  spiritual  good 
of  seamen  of  different  nations.    For  this  purpose  he 
went  to  the  continent,  to  learn  the  French  and  Dutch 
languages.      When  there,  a  tempting  situation  of  a 
thousand  pounds  a  year  was  offered  him,  besides  per- 
quisites, to  preach  to  the  English  settlers  in  the  West 
Indies,  and  converse  in  Dutch ;   but  he  declined  the 
offer.    In  1820,  meeting  Mr.  Ward,  of  Serampore,  he 
accompanied  him  to  Holland,  to  become  acquainted 
with  the  Baptists  there,  and  to  interest  them  in  the  Bap- 
tist Mission.      This  circumstance  led  Mr.  Angas  to 
connect  his  mission  to  seaman  with  the  support  of  the 
Baptist  Missionary  Society,  and  in  both  departments 
he  was  afterwards  rendered  very  useful.    He  was  set 
apart  to  his  work  by  Dr.  Kyland,  at  Bristol,  May  llth, 
1822 ;  and  that  year  visited  a  great  many  English  sea- 
ports.   In  the  end  of  the  year  he  went  over  to  the 
continent  again,  to  visit  the  different  countries  where 
there  were  Baptists,  on  behalf  of  the  Baptist  Mission ; 
and  of  those  he  found  he  gives  a  very  interesting  de- 
scription.    Their  doctrine,  he- tells  us,  is  evangelical, 
and  in  their  dress  and  habits  they  much  resemble  the 
Society  of  Friends  among  ourselves.    Their  youths  are 
admitted  into  their  churches  by  pouring,  and  this  is 
done  indiscriminately,  much  to  the  bane  of  piety  among" 
them. 

From  1826  to  1829,  Mr.  Angas  was  employed  among 
the  sailors,  in  the  different  sea-ports  of  Britain,  Guern- 
sey, and  Jersey,  in  establishing  Sunday  Schools, 
Bible  Classes,  and  Libraries  among  them.  In  1829,  he 
again  visited  Switzerland,  &c. ;  and  in  1830,  in  return- 
ing home,  visited  the  newly-formed  churches  in  the 
North  of  France,  and  brought  Mr.  Tauchnitz,  whom 
he  engaged  to  support  for  twelve  months  at  his  own 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  279: 

expense,  as  an  evangelist  to  the  Baptist  Continental 
churches.  In  1831,  at  the  request  of  the  Baptist  Mis- 
sionary Society,  Mr.  Angas  visited  the  mission  stations, 
in  Jamaica.  This  he  accomplished,  at  his  own  ex- 
pense, much  to  the  satisfaction  of  all  concerned. 

Mr.  Angas  was  providentially  led  to  take  up  his 
abode  at  Tynemouth,  near  his  native  town,  Newcastle, 
the  year  he  died.  The  cause  at  South  Shields,  which 
he  had  felt  for  in  the  midst  of  all  its  vicissitudes,  being 
now  destitute  of  a  pastor — Mr.  Dawson  having  removed 
— for  several  months  he  supplied  the  pulpit,  and  ex- 
erted himself  in  many  ways  to  benefit  the  seamen; 
particularly  in  getting  a  library  established  among 
them.  At  length,  while  preparing  for  a  journey  to 
liquidate  the  debt  on  the  chapel,  the  cholera  made  its 
appearance,  and  seized  on  him  as  one  of  its  many 
victims.  This  was  on  the  morning  of  Friday,  7th 
September.  Throughout  the  day  he  was  quite  com- 
posed, and  said  to  his  relatives,  &c.,  "I  know  whom  I 
have  believed,"  &c.  a  I  know  if  this  earthly  house," 
&c.  "Hope  is  my  anchor — firm  and  strong:  Jesus,  at 
thy  command,  I  launch  into  the  deep:  Christ  is  pre- 
cious to  me  now — never  so  precious  before — all  my 
salvation,  and  all  my  desire."  It  could  scarcely 
be  known  when  he  ceased  to  breathe,  which  look 
place  about  half-past  seven  that  same  evening,  aged 
fifty-one.  He  was  buried  in  the  New  Cemetery,  New- 
castle, on  the  following  day.  A  stone  was  erected  to 
his  memory,  on  which  are  inscribed  the  principal  events 
of  his  useful  life,  and  much  lamented  death ;  also  the 
following  lines : — 

i l  His  record  is  on  high !     The  stone  we  raise 
Exalte  the  Saviour's,  not  the  servant's  praise. 
He  lived  the  son  of  Ocean;  and  he  bore 
The%sound  of  heavenly  grace  from  shore  to  shore. 
2  A  2 


280  HISTORY  OP  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

He  fixed  his  anchor  firm  within  the  vail, 
And  blessed  the  refuge  that  could  never  fail : 
The  billows  rose— he  smil'd,  with  heaven  in  view, 
And  dying,  proved  his  living  witness  true." 

On  Mr.  Angus'  death,  Mr.  Tapscot,  formerly  mis- 
sionary at  Brough,  &c.,  was  called  to  labour  in  South 
Shields.  He  was  ordained  hy  Dr.  Cox  aud  others,  De- 
cember 2nd,  1832.* 

1833 — 1836. — Several  new  chapels  were  erected  and 
opened  during  these  years.  At  the  Forest,  about  six 
miles  above  Middleton,  Teesdale,  a  new  chapel  was 
opened,  June  6th,  1834,  for  the  advantage  of  the  scatter- 
ed mining  and  agricultural  population  in  the  neighbour- 
hood; Mr.  Stagg  and  family  hearing  the  chief  expense. 
Messrs.  Pengilly,  Fisher,  and  Griffiths  preached  on 
the  occasion  to  large  congregations.  On  the  8th  of  the 
same  month,  a  small  Baptist  church  of  seven  members 
was  formed,  at  Brough,  in  Westmoreland.  Mr.  Sneath, 
who  had  previously  laboured  at  the  Forest,  was  ordain- 
ed at  Brough,  8th  September,  1835.  It  was  about  this 
time  that  Mr.  Roe  resigned  his  charge  at  Middleton, 
and  commenced  a  career  of  great  usefulness,  as  secre- 
tary of  the  Home  Missionary  Society. 

On  the  23rd  November,  1834,  a  new  chapel  iras  open- 
ed, fitted  to  contain  about  four  hundred  persons,  for  a 
sum  not  exceeding  five  hundred  and  sixty  pounds,  in- 
cluding title-deeds,  &c.,  at  Maryport,  Cumberland. 
Mr.  Hugh  Anderson,  of  Horton  College,  commenced  his 
labours  here,  on  the  3rd  of  May  following. 

On  the  6th  of  April,  1835,  a  small  neat  chapel, 
capable  of  containing  about  two  hundred  persons,  was 
opened  at  Ravenglas,  Cumberland;  Messrs.  Frearsons 
and  Anderson  engaging  in  the  services. 

•  Mr.  J.  Kinghorn  died  this  year,  aged  66.  Mr.  K.  Hall  had 
died  in  1831,  aged  67. 


•  IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  281 

•On  the  evening-  of  the  8th  June,  1835,  a  sermon  was 
preached  by  Mr.  Sample,  from  Exodus  xxxiii.  14, 15, 
in  the  Farm-house  of  Hindley.  This  service  closed  the 
public  worship  of  God,  in  a  place  where  it  had  been 
maintained,  under  the  aupices  of  a  branch  of  the  Angus 
family,  for  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  years.  A 
new  chapel  was  opened  the  following  day,  at  Broomley, 
about  a  mile  distant,  by  Mr.  Pengilly.  Another  new 
chapel  was  opened  the  same  year,  at  Shotley-field,  fitted 
to  hold  one  hundred  and  fifty  persons. 

On  the  23rd  September,  the  same  year  also,  a  new 
place  of  worship,  situate  in  Marlborough  Crescent, 
Newcastle,  called  Providence  Chapel,  was  opened.  It 
is  adapted  to  hold  between  three  hundred  and  four  hun- 
dred persons,  Messrs.  Wycherley,  Bailey,  and  others, 
have  supplied  the.  pulpit  since  that  time;  but  the 
church  meeting  there  have  recently  united  with  R.  B. 
Sanderson,  Esq.,  who  some  time  since  left  the  National 
Establishment,  and  is  now  decidedly  opposed  both  to 
Infant  Sprinkling  and  the  Union  of  Church  and  State* 
as  evinced  in  his  occasional  and  periodical  publications, 
as  well  as  in  his  earnest  public  addresses. 

On  the  3rd  April,  1836,  a  small  church  of  five  mem- 
bers was  formed,  at  Bedlington,  north-east  of  Newcas- 
tle, by  Mr.  Banks.  The  cause  was  originally  begun  in 
1829,  by  Mr.  Tyndale,  of  Gloucestershire,  who  removed 
in  1833,  and  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  Dickenson. 

1837  and  1838. — During  these  years  several  eminent 
individuals  were  called  to  their  everlasting  home.  Dr. 
Steadman,  of  Horton  College,  died  12th  April,  1837. 
He  had  held  the  presidency  of  that  college,  with 
great  honour  to  himself,  and  usefulness  to  the  Bap- 
tist denomination,  for  thirty  years ;  having  commenced 
his  labours  in  1805,  and  resigned  them  in  1835. 
Mr.  Pengilly,  of  Newcastle,  also,  this  year,  lost  his 

eldest  daughter,  Eliza,  much  to  the  deep  regret  of  her 

2  A  3 


2S2  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

parents,  and  all  who  knew  her  Christian  worth.  Mir. 
Edward  "Wilkinson,  one  of  the  deacons  of  New  Court 
Chapel,  Newcastle,  also  died  this  year,  aged  forty-four, 
after  an  illness  of  four  days.  He  had  honourably  held 
the  deacon's  office  for  upwards  of  ten  years,  besides  be- 
ing extensively  employed  in  preaching  the  gospel  for  a 
much  longer  period.  He  experienced  those  supports, 
in  the  prospect  of  death,  which  the  Redeemer  never 
fails  to  impart  to  his  servants. 

The  5th  December,  1837,  was  remarkable  as  the  day 
of  the  exit  from  time  of  the  last  of  the  great  missionary 
Triumvirate,  of  Serampore,  in  India,  Dr.  Joshua 
Marshman,  aged  71.  Dr.  Carey  had  died  June  9th, 
1834,  aged  73;  and  Mr.  Ward  had  died  March  7th, 
1823,  aged  54.  The  names  of  these  devoted  men  will 
ever  live  in  the  records  of  the  church  of  God,  and  of 
British  India,  their  adopted  country. 

Mr.  Williamson.,  of  North  Shields,  was  called  away 
from  this  scene  of  toil  and  suffering,  to  his  everlasting 
rest,  December  23rd,  1838.  He  was  a  pious  and  con- 
sistent Christian;  jand  combined  in  his  temper  and 
manners  two  rare,  but  highly  useful  qualities,  namely 
gentleness  and  firmness.  His  talents  were  more  useful 
than  splendid ;  and  during  the  twenty-three  years  of  his 
ministry,  God  had  greatly  blessed  him.  He  died  in  his 
48th  year,  leaving  a  widow  and  an  interesting  young 
family,  several  of  whom  are  members  of  the  church,  to 
lament  his  loss. 

In  the  year  1838,  also,  two  remarkable  individuals 
finished  their  course — Mr.  Jonathan  Soppit  and  Mrs. 
Marshall,  of  Shotley-field ;  the  one  in  his  hundreth,  and 
the  other  in  her  ninetieth  year.  They  were  both  mem- 
bers of  the  church  at  Rowley ;  and  Mr.  Soppit  had  been 
deacon  of  the  church  from  the  time  of  its  separation 
from  Hamsteiiey,  in  1785.  Through  the  long  years  of 
their  pilgrimage,  they  discovered  unshaken  interest  in 


IN  THE   NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  283 

the  best  of  causes.  They  were  cousins ;  and  through 
their  respective  mothers,  both  were  the  grand-children  of 
Mr.  Jonathan  Angus,  of  Panshields.  Mr.  Angus  was  born 
in  1680,  and  consequently  would  be  well  acquainted 
with  Messrs.  Ward,  Blacket,  &c. — the  men  of  the  first 
generation  of  Baptists  in  the  North  of  England.  Mr. 
Soppit  and  Mrs.  Marshall  would  enjoy  the  society  of 
their  grandfather,  more  or  less,  for  about  thirty  or  forty 
years.  From  him  then,  they  would  obtain  an  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  men  and  times  of  the  first,  se- 
cond, and  third  period  of  our  history.  This  was  the 
case  particularly  with  Mrs.  Marshall,  who  was  the 
ablest  chronicler  of  the  olden  times  of  any  in  later  years; 
as  the  greatest  part  of  the  pedigree  of  the  Angus  family, 
compiled  by  Mr.  Pengilly,  and  of  which,  in  our  narra- 
tive, we  have  made  considerable  use,  was  obtained  from 
her .  It  would,  we  imagine,  be  thus  that  Eusebius,  at  a 
period  from  the  death  of  the  apostle  John,  somewhat  cor- 
responding to  our  own  from  the  days  of  Mr.  Tillam, 
would,  from  ancient  documents  and  traditionary  memo- 
rials, glean  the  different  fragments  of  which  that 
eminent  piece  of  antiquity  is  made  up — the  Ecclesias- 
tical History  that  goes  by  his  name. 


284  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 


CHAPTER  II. 

Formation  of  the  Home  Missionary  Auxiliary.— Mr.  Roe.— Mr. 
Pulsford.  — Mr.  Carrick. — Mr.  Bilson. — Whitehaven. — Mr. 
Pulsford.— Mrs.  Douglas.— Mr.  William  Angus. — Mr.  Joseph 
Thompson. — Mr.  H.  Angus. — Mr.  H.  B.  Angus. — Mr.  Brown, 
—  Mr.  Sneath. — Broomhaugh. — Separation  of  Rowley  and 
Broomley. — Mr.  Macgowan. — Mr.  Lewis. — Miss  H.  E.  Fen- 
wick. — Ford  Forge.— New  Bridge-street. — Sunderland. — Monk- 
wearmouth. — Newcastle. — Mr.  Christopherson. — South  Shields. 
— North  Shields. — Mr.  Garthorn. — Mr.  Pengilly's  Resigna- 
tion.—Mr.  Sample's  Recognition. — Prospect  of  Bicentenary  of 
1852. — Lancashire  and  Cumberland. — Tabular  Views. — Con- 
cluding Remarks. 

1839.— The  year  1839  was,  in  the  history  of  the  Bap- 
tist churches  in  the  North  of  England,  a  kind  of  era, 
owing  to  the  formation  of  an  Auxiliary  to  the  Baptist 
Home  Missionary  Society.  Mr.  Roe,  the  secretary  of 
that  society,  from  his  having  himself  in  former  years 
been  resident  in  the  North,  was  well  acquainted  with 
the  character  of  the  churches,  and  was  solicitous  for 
their  farther  establishment  and  extension.  With  this 
view  he  engaged  Mr.  Thomas  Pulsford.  of  Great  Toiv 
rington,  Devonshire,  to  "become  an  Evangelist  in  these 
northern  counties;  and  he  also  personally  visited  the 
associated  ministers  this  year,  at  their  annual  meeting. 
The  result  was,  the  formation  of  the  Auxiliary  alluded 
to,  which  has  been  materially  helpful  in  sustaining  and 
enlarging  the  churches  ever  since. 

Mr.  Pulsford  began  his  operations,  as  Evangelist  of 
the  North,  by  forming  a  church  of  twenty-three  mem- 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  285 

bers  at  Carlisle,  on  the  16th  of  June,  this  year.  He 
continued  there  about  two  months,  and  baptized  and 
added  other  twelve  persons.  Mr.  Pulsford  visited,  in 
succession,  a  number  of  the  churches ;  holding  prayer 
meetings  at  five  o'clock  every  morning,  and  preaching 
in  the  evening,  as  also  three  "times  on  the  Lord's  day. 
His  labours  were  indefatigable ;  and  his  success,  in  ex- 
citing attention,  and  in  arousing  careless  sinners  and 
the  torpid  among  professors,  was  remarkable.  Consi- 
derable numbers  were  added  to  the  churches  at  Bedale, 
Stockton,  Hamsterley,  Middleton,  Wolsingham,  North 
Shields,  and  Newcastle,  before  the  termination  of  the 
year  1839. 

On  the  18th  September,  this  year,  Mr,  J.  D.  Carrick 
was  ordained  over  the  church  at  North  Shields.  Mr. 
Douglas  stated  the  nature  of  a  Christian  church ;  Mr. 
Sample  asked  the  usual  questions ;  Mr.  Paterson,  of 
Glasgow,  gave  the  charge ;  and  Mr.  Pulsford  preached 
to  the  church.  Two  deacons  were  also  ordained. 

1840. — Mr.  Bilson,  formerly  an  Independent  minis- 
ter at  North  Shields,  was  baptized  at  Middleton,  Tees- 
dale,  this  year,  during  the  association ;  at  which  Messrs. 
Roe  and  Barnes  (then  of  Thrapstone)  attended.  Mr. 
Bilson  was  appointed  by  the  Home  Mission  to  labour  at 
"Whitehaven ;  and  there,  for  some  time,  he  enjoyed  con- 
siderable success.* 

•  It  has  been  mentioned  that  Mr.  Bowser,  of  Sunderland,  set- 
tled at  Whitehaven  in  1780 ;  he  left  in  1781.  Mr.  Wm.  Graham 
was  ordained  in  1787,  but  sometime  after  adopted  the  views  held 
by  the  Baptists  in  Scotland,  respecting  weekly  communion,  the 
exhortations  of  the  brethren,  &c.  This  caused  a  division.  Mr. 
Graham  and  his  people  withdrew  from  the  chapel,  and  those  who 
remained  were  destitute  of  a  pastor,  when  in  1807,  Mr.  George 
Jamieson,  who  succeeded  Mr.  Graham,  was  invited  to  minister 
likewise  to  them,  and  thus  the  two  parties  were  re-united.  Mr. 
Jamieson  was  connected  with  the  Messrs.  Haldane  of  Edin- 
burgh, and  was  a  very  pious  man.  He  remained  at  Whitehavea 


286  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUBCHES 

This  year  Mr.  Pulsford  again- visited  several  of  the 
churches,  particularly  Broomley,  Rowley,  Hamsterley> 
and  Bedale,  and  many  more  members  were  added  to 
them.  At  .Wolsingham  the  church  was  formed  anewj 
and  Mr.  Macgowan,  who  had  for  some  time  been  at  the 
Forest,  became  their  minister.  At  Stockton  the  Bap- 
tist chapel  was  considerably  enlarged,  and  opened 
December  25th,  1840;  Messrs.  Giles  of  Leeds,  and 
Pulsford,  officiating  on  the  occasion.  Mr.  Pulsford 
soon  after  went  to  evangelize  in  the  more  southern 
parts  of  the  kingdom. 

1841.— On  Slsfc  March,  this  year,  Mrs.  Douglas,  of 
Hamsterley,  died,  aged  44.  She  was  the  daughter  of 
Mr.  James  Jopling,  late  deacon  of  the  church  there. 
She  felt  much  on  the  first  appearance  of  death,  on 
account  of  her  husband  and  family;  but  during  the 
eighteen  months  of  her  affliction  she  became  quite  re-- 
signed, and  died  calmly,  supported  by  the  hope  of  the 
Gospel. 

On  June  14th,  this  year,  Mr.  William  Angus,  deacon 
of  the  church  at  Broomley,  &c.,  entered  on  his  eternal 
rest,  aged  44.  He  had  been  in  life  distinguished  alike 
for  his  piety,  prayerfulness,  good  sense,  activity,  and 
straightforward  consistency  of  character.  His  last  af- 
fliction was  short,  but  heavy.  In  his  lucid  intervals  he 
was,  however,  not  only  the  subject  of.  great  peace,  but 
of  unspeakable  joy.  His  chief  anxiety  was  about  the 
salvation  of  his  friends  and  servants.  He  expressed  a 
wish  that  he  could  take  his  aged  mother  to  heaven 
along  with  himself.  She  was  then  in  her  usual  health, 
though  feeble ;  but  that  day  week  on  which  his  body  had 
been  consigned  to  the  grave,  hers  was  laid  beside  him; 

only  three  or  four  years.  Mr.  James  Bigland,  one  of  the  deacons, 
conducted  the  worship  for  some  years  after  he  left ;  and  to  him 
succeeded  Mr.  John  Kitchen.  The  church  was  in  a  Very  de- 
pressed condition  when  visited  by  Mr.  Bilson,  in  1840. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  287 

She  died  with  a  calm  dependance  on  that  Saviour  whom 
she  had  known,  loved,  and  served  from  early  life. 

Mr.  Joseph  Thompson,  of  Slaley,  died  also,  this  year. 
He  was  a  member  of  the  church  at  Rowley,  and  had 
been  a  useful  individual  for  many  years.  "When  he 
died,  he  left  nearly  all  his  little  property  to  religious 
purposes.  Among  other  endowments,  he  left  fifty 
pounds  for  the  support  of  the  minister  of  the  church 
with  which  he  had  been  connected. 

1842. — On  the  25th  of  February,  this  year,  the 
church  at  New  Court,  Newcastle,  lost  one  of  its 
deacons,  Mr.  Henry  Angus,  senior.  The  deceased  was 
born  at  the  renowned  Juniper-Dye-House,  and  was 
grandson  of  Mr.  "W.  Angus,  brother-in-law  to  Mr. 
Christopher  Hall.  He  was  brought  under  the  influence 
of  divine  truth  in  his  23rd  year,  and  baptized  by  Mr. 
Pengilly.  In  1816,  he  united  with  those  who  went  to 
worship  at  the  Carpenters'  Hall;  and  subsequently 
became  a  deacon  of  the  church,  of  which  his  re- 
lative, Mr.  Sample,  became  the  pastor.  For  seve- 
ral years  his  health  had  much  declined,  and  after 
struggling  with  a  variety  of  disease,  he  gradually 
sunk  into  the  arms  of  death.  But  few  expressions 
escaped  his  lips  during  his  last  affliction,  but  enough 
to  assure  his  friends  and  connexions  that  his  end  was 
peace.  He  was  in  the  fifty-seventh  year  of  his  age. 

We  cannot  avoid  taking  particular  notice  of  the  death 
of  one  of  the  young  members  of  the  church  at  Broomley 
this  year,  owing  to  the  singularity  of  the  case,  and  as  a 
stimulus  to  the  younger  members  of  our  churches  in 
general.  This  young  person  was  Mr.  Henry  Blacket 
Angus,  youngest  son  of  Mrs.  Angus,  of  Broomley,  des- 
cended alike  from  Henry  Angus,  of  the  Raw  House,  and 
Henry  Blacket,  of  Bitchburn.  He  had  been  baptized 
and  added  to  the  church,  with  some  other  of  his  rela- 


288  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

/ 

tives,  friends,  and  neighbours,  during  one  of  the  visita- 
tions of  Mr.  Pulsford,  in  1840. 

Young  Henry  possessed  solid,  if  not  brilliant,  men- 
tal qualities.  His  education  and  information  were 
respectable,  his  temper  retiring,  and  his  habits  and 
manners  were  of  the  simple  character,  and  lying  at  the 
greatest  possible  remove  from  ostentation.  We  have 
therefore  in  these  circumstances,  independently  of  the 
solemnity  of  his  situation,  a  sufficient  guarantee  for  the 
genuineness — the  sincerity,  and  soundness  of  the  ex- 
pressions he  uttered  on  his  dying  bed,  in  the  prospect 
of  eternity. 

Being  of  a  delicate  constitution,  the  subject  of  this  brief  memo- 
rial sometimes,  like  other  invalids,  took  a  journey  from  home,  to 
re-invigorate  his  frame.  He  did  so  in  the  spring  of  1842,  but 
failed  in  the  desired  object.  In  a  fortnight  after  his  return,  his 
complaint  began  to  assume  an  alarming  aspect.  He  was,  how- 
ever, in  a  very  placid  frame  of  mind,  and  said,  "  £  think  I  shall 
not  get  better  this  time."  He  was  asked  if  he  was  afraid  to  die. 
He  replied,  "  No ;  I  know  in  whom  I  have  believed."  From  the 
21st  to  the  29th  of  May,  the  day  on  which  he  died,  he  was  confin- 
ed to  his  room,  and  in  the  intervening  time  was  enabled  to  give 
one  of  those  remarkable  exhibitions  of  Christian  triumph  in  death, 
which  are,  at  least  occasionally,  afforded  to  the  devoted  children 
of  God. 

From  the  21st  he  grew  rapidly  worse,  but  his  relatives  were 
cheered  by  seeing  his  spiritual  strength  renewed  in  proportion  to  \ 
the  decay  of  his  bodily  vigour.  "  He  had  been  always  cheerful, 
but  now,  day  after  day,"  writes  his  sister,  "  his  dear  countenance 
brightened  in  its  expression  and  became  that  of  joy  unspeakable? 
and  his  confidence  in  his  dear  Redeemer  was  great,  until  its  lan- 
guage was  that  of  full  assurance."  On  Monday  night,  the  23rd, 
he  was  very  ill,  and  taking  his  eldest  brother  around  the  neck,  he 
said, 

"  Though  painful  at  present,  'twill  cease  before  long, 
And  then,  Oh  how  pleasant  the  conqueror's  song." 

On  Tuesday  morning,  the  bleeding  from  his  lungs  had  in- 
creased.    He  said,  "  I  am  taking  down  pin  by  pin ;"  and  to  hi» 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        289 

sister  he  said,  with  tender  affection,  "  Oh  .S pray  that  my 

faith  and  patience  may  continue  to  the  end.  I  always  loved  you 
all,  but  you  are  dear  to  me  now."  On  "Wednesday  and  Thursday 
he  was  much  affected  with  feverish  drowsiness,  which  rather  dis- 
tressed his  mind.  On  Friday  he  wished  his  sister  to  ascertain 
distinctly  the  doctor's  opinion  of  his  case,  She  did  so ;  and 
found  that  he  feared  the  worst,  unless  a  speedy  change  took  place. 
When  told  this,  he  looked  serious  for  a  few  minutes,  and  then 
turning  to  his  sister,  said,  "  1  hope  I  have  nothing  to  do  but  to 
die ;  and  there  is  dying  grace  for  dying  time.  I  feel  a  little  cling- 
ing to  earth,  which  is  painful;  but  you  must  pray,  and  I  hope  it 
will  be  taken  away."  After  this,  his  countenance  assumed  the  ex- 
pression of  great  joy ;  and  observing  his  widowed  sister,  of  Hind- 
ley,  come  into  the  room,  he  held  out  his  hand,  and  said,  "  I  shall 
soon  be  with  your  dear  William,  singing,  the  praises  of  redeeming 
love."*  He  then  spoke  to  all  present  with  affectionate  faithfulness, 
and  often  repeated  the  beautiful  lines,  "  Oh  glorious  hope ;  Oh 
blessed  hope,"  &c. ;  adding,  "  Let  us  all  be  sure  that  we  meet  in 
heaven."  He  strove  also  to  cheer  his  mother,  by  saying,  "  You 
will  not  be  long  behind  me.  Your  threescore  and  ten  years  are 
nearly  over.  You  must  not  doubt.  You  cannot  tell  what  kind  of- 
fices I  may  perform  for  yon.*'  He  then  inquired  if  she  thought  he 
could  know  the  disembodied  spirit  of  his  father,  and  hoped  he 
might ;  "but,  perhaps/'  said  he,  "  I  shall  be  like  the  old  man  who 
thought  he  would  never  take  his  eyes  off  his  Saviour  for  the  first 
thousand  years  he  was  in  heaven," 

On  the  afternoon  of  Friday,  he  was  filled  with  unutterable  joy, 
yet  giving  a  faint  utterance  of  his  deep  emotions,  in  the  following 
expressions  :  "  Glory  to  the  Eternal  Father !  Glory  to  the  dear 
Redeemer !  Glory  to  the  Holy  Spirit,  who  has  led  and  guided 
me !,"  Speaking  of  the  Saviour,  he  raised  himself,  and  said,  "  He 
has  redeemed  me  from  eternal  death !  Oh  what  a  glorious  pas- 
sage is  that,  1st  John  iii.,  '  Beloved,  now  are  we  the  sons  of  God,' 
&c.  Oh,  to  be  like  perfection,"  said  he,  "  think  of  that." 

'  O  glorious  hour !  0  bless'd  abode ! 

I  shall  be  near,  and  like  my  God.' "  &c. 
He  also  often  said,  "  I  feel  it  to  be  really  true,  that 

'  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  bed 

Fee!  soft  as  downy  pillows  are.' "  SEC. 

-*  This  excellent-peison  has  since  rpjoined  both.    She  died  in  All",  1845, 

2   B  "'    ' 


290  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

When  requested  not  to  exhaust  himself  by  speaking,  he  replied, 
"  I  must  praise  while  I  have  breath." 

During  the  night  he  slept,  and  spoke  but  little.  By  a  short 
slumber  he  was,  however,  somewhat  refreshed,  and  awoke  on  the 
Saturday  morning  full  of  love,  joy,  and  deep  anxiety  for  the  salva- 
tion of  all  around  him.  This  anxiety  was  habitual  in  reference 
to  his  former  companions.  To  one  of  these  he  said,  "  We  have 
been  companions  here,  let  us  be  companions  in  heaven ;"  and  when 
any  of  these  were  at  a  distance  from  him,  he  sent  messages  to 
them  to  the  same  effect.  He  now  disposed  of  a  few  remembrancers 
to  the  dear  relatives  and  friends  he  was  about  to  leave,  for  a  time, 
in  the  vale  below;  and  to  his  beloved  minister  he  gave  texts  to 
improve  his  early  death.  In  the  selection  of  these,  Isaiah  Iv.  6, 
and  2  Cor.  vi.  2,  we  still  see  his  deep  anxiety  for  the  salvation  of 
sinners.  To  his  brother  W.  he  said,  "It  maybe  selfish,  but  I 
wish  to  hare  some  of  your  thoughts  when  I  am  gone."  He -then 
described  minutely  part  of  a  field,  where  he  had  had  peculiarly  spi- 
ritual enjoyment,  while  following  the  plough.  "  When  you  see 
that  spot,"  said  he,  "  think  of  me." 

:  About  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon  he  wished  a  hymn  to  be  sung, 
and  then  said,  "  I  wish  you  all—except  one  to  stay  by  me—to  kneel 
around  the  room,  and  silently  pray  for  me.  Prayer  moves  the 
hand  that  moves  the  world.  Your  prayers  will  ascend,  as  a  cloud 
of  incense,  before  the  mercy-seat.  I  long  to  pray  away  my  soul, 
and  to  be  carried  to  my  Father's  bosom.  What  a  sweet  idea,  to 
be  carried  to  my  Father's  bosom."  It  was  a  season  of  great  hap- 
piness to  him,  and  he  often  requested  us  to  do  so  afterwards.  He 
was  also  very  grateful  to  hear  of  a  prayer  meeting,  by  a  few  of  the 
female  members  in  the  chapel,  on  his  behalf.  At  eleven  o'clock 
he  grew  worse,  and  was  slightly  convulsed.  His  appearance  wow . 
altered,  and  his  countenance  began  to  assume  the  hue  of  death, 
although  it  never  lost  that  sweet  expression  of  dignified  holy  joy 
which  it  had  gradually  put  on.  When  asked  if  the  Saviour  was 
near  to  him,  "  Yes,"  he  replied,  "  close  by  me;  I  lean  upon  him, 
— Gracious  King !  My  pains  of  death  are  strong  ;  but  the  sting 
i,«  taken  away." 

Towards  evening  he  was  a  little  relieved,  and  seeing  his  sister 

anxiously  watching  him,  he  called  her,  and  said,  "S I  want 

you  to  know  what  a  rest  this  is.    I  know  I  look  strange ;  it  is  just 
the  straggle  between  nature  and  death;   but,"   again  he  said, 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  291 

**•  Jesus  can  make  a  dying  lied,"  &c.    He  also  often  said,  "  Weep 
not  for  me.    I  am  the  best  off. 

'  Earth  is  a  desert  drear, 
Heaven  is  my  home.' 

"I  long  to  fly  away,  and  he  at  rest;  but  desire  to  be  passive  in 
my  Father's  hands.  His  time  and  his  way  are  always  best."  He 
was  delighted  with  the  thought  that  he  should  be  employed  in 
doing  the  will  of  God  in  heaven,  and  thus  be  like  the  Redeemer, 
whose  meat  and  drink  it  was  to  do  and  suffer  his  Father's  will.  • 

In  the  evening  he  was  easier;  and  a  little  before  four  o'clock, 
Sabbath  morning,  he  dozed  awhile,  and  then  awoke,  to  use  his 
own  expression,  uin  the  mast  extatic  joy."  "I  cannot  tell  how 
it  is,". said  he,  with  a  look  of  ineffable  benignity,  "but  I  cannot 
describe  the  happiness  I  feel."  And  when  his  aged  mother,  and 
other  relatives,  were  called  up,  by  his  desire,  he  laboured  to  find 
language  to  convey  some  idea  of  his  feelings;  but  he  said,  "it 
was  in  vain.  I  cannot  tell  you  the  thousandth,  no,  not  the  mil- 
lionth part  of  what  I  feel.  Rivers,  seas,  oceans,  yea,  mountains 
of  joy.  My  cup  is  full,  and  runneth  over."  His  brother  observed, 
"  It  was  a  foretaste  of  heaven."  "  If  this  be  the  foretaste,"  he  re- 
plied, "  I  don't  know  what  the  reality  will  be."  He  continued  in 
this  state  for  some  time,  requesting  prayer  to  be  continued  for  him ; 
but  at  seven  o'clock,  owing  to  his  difficulty  in  breathing,  he  seem- 
ed to  be  going.  He,  however,  revived  a  little,  and  said  to  a  young 
relative,  after  kissing  him  affectionately,  "  Five  minutes  ago  I 
thought  I  was  just  gone,  but  it  seems  I  have  been  called  back  to 
speak  to  you.  I  am  going  to  heaven,  and  I  want  you  to  follow 
me."  When  he  bade  him  farewell,  he  said,  with  great  emotion, 
"  Oh,  dont  let  it  be  for  ever." 

Being  asked  about  his  breakfast,  he  said,  "  I  shall  breakfast  in 
heaven."  He  often  said,  "  This  cannot.be  dying."  The  church 
of  which  he  was  a  member  were  to  commemorate  the  Saviour's 
death  that  forenoon.  He  observed,  "  I  shall  sit  down  at  a  differ- 
ent table  than  yours  to-day.  I  shall  drink  new  wine  in  my  Fa- 
ther's kingdom."  He  desired  his  pastor  to  induce  the  young 
members  of  the  church  to  work  much  for  the  Saviour.  In  the 
morning  he  had  fainting  fits,  and  seemed  to  be  almost  gone.  To 
h\s  sister,  while  bathing  his  temples,  he  said,  "  Is  it  not  strange 
I  like  you  to  use  means  to  revive  me,  and  yet  I  long  to  be  at 
tome."  He  was  very  importunate  this  morning  with  two  rela- 
tives about  their  salvation.  He  fell,  after  this,  into  an  uneasy 


292  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUBCIiES 

slumber,  and  said,  when  he  awoke,  he  had  heen  disturbed  by  the 
fear  of  dying  twice.  He  was  reminded,  that  it  might  be  an  effort  of 
the  great  enemy  to  annoy  him.  Being  asked  if  he  felt  the  Saviour 
precious,  he  said,  "  I  find  him  to  be  a  great  rock." 

Between  eleven  and  twelve  o'clock,  fixing  his  eyes  on  the  win- 
dow, he  asked  if  the  sun  shone  particularly  bright.  He  was  told 
it  did  not.  He  still  looked  earnestly,  and  was  asked,  if  he  saw 
something.  He  said,  "  I  see  a  glorious  light — it  is  most  glorious, 
but  it  is  temporalized  to  my  bodily  eyes ;"  and  he  wished  the  win- 
dows to  be  darkened.  His  sister  H ,  at  this  time,  went  and 

kissed  him.  He  looked  sweetly  at  her,  and  said,  "Peace,  peace, 
peace  is  flowing  like  a  river;"  and  again,  "I  hear  the  most  de- 
lightful music."  Then  shortly  after,  "  I  hear  the  most  delightful 
instruments." 

"Just  then,"  writes  his  sister,  "  I  took  to  him  some  tea,  which 
had  been  prepared  for  him;  he  said,  'you  must  wait  awhile.' 
Then  fixing  his  eyes  on  the  top  of  the  bed,  he  gazed  intently  for 
some  time,  then  raised  himself,  and  looked  earnestly  towards  the 
door,  as  if  he  saw  something,  till  his  head  sunk  on  its  pillow.  He 
breathed  then  heavily,  but  not  painfully,  for  about  twenty  minutes. 
We  thought  he  was  gone,  and  Gr kissed  him,  saying,  '  Fare- 
well dear  Henry  ;•"  but  he  turned  his  eye  to  him,  as  if  conscious  of 
what  was  passing,  heaved  two  or  three  gentle  sighs,  and  then  his 
emancipated  spirit  fled  away,  to  the  mansions  of  eternal  bliss  and 
glory  prepared  for  him."  He  died  29th  May,  J  842,  aged  23. 

On  the  26th  of  August,  1842,  died  also,  Mr.  George 
Brown,  pastor  of  the  church,  South  Shields.  He  was 
born  at  Goodrich,  Herefordshire,  and  was  brought  to 
know  the  Lord  in  his  twentieth  year.  He  was  soon  af- 
ter called  to  the  ministry,  and  ordained  at  Kington,  in 
his  native  county,  where  he  continued  six  years,  and  af- 
terwards, other  three  years,  at  Sabden,  Lancashire.  He 
came  to  Shields  in  1822,  and  there  continued,  under  va- 
rying circumstances,  till  within  a  few  months  of  his 
death,  when  he  resigned  the  pastorate,  being  rendered 
incapacitated  for  public  service,  from  the  increase  of  a 
nervous  affection,  which,  though  he  possessed  a  powerful 
body  and  vigorous  mind,  had  cleaved  to  him  through 
life,  and  greatly  impaired  his  usefulness.  The  death  of 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  293 

Mrs/Brown,  in  1835,  also  greatly  aggravated  his  chronic 
malady.  He,  was,  notwithstanding,  a  useful  preacher, 
and  much  respected  by  his  people.  Mr.  Sneath,  for- 
merly of  Brough,  succeeded  him  in  the  pastoral  charge, 
in  October,  1841. 

1843. — On  the  16th  of  March,  this  year,  a  new  cha- 
pel was  opened  at  Broomhaugh,  near  Hexham.  Mr. 
Douglas  offered  the  dedicatory  prayer;  Mr,  Sample 
preached  in  the  forenoon,  and  Mr.  Roe  preached  in  the 
evening.  Messrs.  Pengilly  and  Roe  preached  on  the 
following  Lord's  day,  when  the  collections  and  subscrip- 
tions cleared  the  cost  of  the  chapel,  estimated  at  ,^146. 
The  chapel  is  fitted  to  hold  two  hundred  persons,  and 
stands  in  front  of  the  Machpelah-. — the  burying-ground 
of  the  Angus  family. 

The  section  of  the  ancient  church,  lying  between  the 
Tyne  and  the  "Wear,  which  had  separated  from  the 
church  at  Hamsterley,  in  1785,  now  agreed,  for  the  be- 
nefit of  the  neighbourhood,  to  divide  itself  once  more  ; 
the  northern  part,  at  Broonaley  and  Broomhaugh,  to  be 
under  the  care  of  one  pastor,  and  the  southern  portion 
to  be  under  another,  at  Rowley  and  Shotley-field.  Mr. 
Macgowan  being  invited  to  become  pastor  of  this  latter 
portion,  was  ordained  23rd  of  August,  1843.  Messrs. 
Pengilly,  Douglas,  Sample,  and  Fisher  officiated  on  the 
occasion.  Mr.  Lewis,  lately  of  Hackney,  on  Mr.  Mac- 
gowan leaving  "Wolsingham,  undertook  the  charge  of 
the  cause  there. 

1844.— On  the  15th  of  March,  this  year,  died  Miss 
Hannah  Eliza  Fenwick.  third  daughter  of  John  Fen- 
wick,  Esq.,  Newcastle.  This  young  lady  was  connected,' 
together  with  her  parents  and  most  of  their  family,  with, 
the  church  at  New  Court,  under  the  ministry  of  Mr. 
Sample.  She  had  been  piously  educated,  and  was  early 
brought  to  know  the  Saviour  of  the  guilty.  She  had  a 

2  B  3 


294  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

feeble  body,  but  an  ardent,  temperament,  which  she 
evinced  in  the  possession  of  a  strong  desire  to  go  out  to. 
Fernando-Po,  Africa,  as  a  missionary.  From  the  feeble- 
ness of  her  frame,  and  other  considerations,  the  idea 
was  over-ruled ;  but  she  then  devoted  her  energies  more 
than  ever  to  the  benefit  of  the  rising  generation.  She 
was  thus  employed  when  her  Heavenly  Master  called 
her  to  himself.  On  Thursday  evening,  she  taught 
her  Bible  class,  of  girls,  and  on  Friday  morning  she 
was  with  God.  Her  grave  was  that  of  the  hero  who- , 
dies  on  the  field  of  battle.  Let  the  young  females,  in 
our  churches,  be  encouraged  by  her  example,  to  devote 
life,  vigour,  and  influence  to  the  glory  of  God,  and  the 
good  of  their  fellow  immortals. 

This  year,  we  find  that  the  church  at  Ford  Forge, 
near  to  Flodden  Field,  had  had  a  chapel  lately  built, 
and  had  several  preaching  stations.  Mr.  Thomas  Black,, 
the  youngest  son  of  Mr.  John  Black,  who  had  commen- 
ced the  cause  about  the  beginning  of  the  nineteenth 
century,  is  now  pastor,  assisted  by  Messrs.  Bees  and 
Brother  stone.  Mr.  Black's  eldest  brother,  Mr.  John 
Black,  was  called  to  the  pastoral  office,  in  1807 ;  but,  to 
the  regret  of  all  that  knew  him,  died  the  following 
year.  His  brother  Robert  was  then  invited  to  succeed 
him,  which  he  did,  but  died  in  1809.  Mr.  Walter 
Oliver  was  then  called  to  assist  Mr.  Dodds,  who  had 
been  co-pastor  with  the  Messrs.  Black.  For  the  sake 
of  convenience,  the  church,  at  this  time,  divided — part 
xvorshipping  at  Allendean,  and  part  at  Ford  Forge. 
Owing  to  this  arrangement,  Mr.  Black,  senior,  was 
called  to  the  pastoral  office  along  with  Mr.  Stevenson, 
who  soon  after  died.  Sometime  after  this,  Mr.  Thomas 
Black  united  with  his  father  in  the  eldership,  and  the 
good  old  man,  after  ministering  himself,  for  sometime, 
and  seeing  three  of  his  beloved  sons  engaged  along  with 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  29-5 

himself,  in  the  same  holy  and  useful  employment,  ended 
his  days,  full  of  years  and  honours  of  the  purest  kind. 
He  died  in  his  seventy-ninth  year. 

In  1844,  also,  the  church  meeting  in  the  "Weavers' 
Tower,  had  their  number  of  members  102,  a  Sunday 
School  of  200  children,  and  several  preaching  stations 
in  the  neighbourhood  of  their  new  chapel,  and  300 
families  supplied  with  tracts  on  the  loan  system.  The 
new  chapel  is  situated  in  New  Bridge-street.  It  is 
adapted  to  hold  300  persons,  has  two  vestries,  and  cost 
about  ^1250.  It  was  opened  April  l?th,  1840,  by  Mr. 
Jiirkwood,  of  Berwick,  and  Mr.  Clarke,  now  of  Fer- 
nando-Po.  At  that  time,  the  church  had  only  forty 
members,  but  they  have  increased  since,  by  different 
means,  to  the  number  stated  above. 

Of  the  other  unassociated  churches  in  the  North,  we 
should  have  been  glad  to  have  given  some  account, 
however  slight,  but  we  are  not  able,  for  want  of  infor- 
mation applied  for,  but  not  received.  We  have  given 
some  account  already,  of  the  origin  of  the  church  in 
Sans-street,  Sunderland;  but  we  are  unable  to  give 
many  further  details.  All  we  can  say  is,  that  the 
cause  has  been,  for  many  years,  under  the  guidance  of 
Mr.  Alexander  Wilson,  in  company,  till  lately,  with  a 
very  valuable  assistant,  Mr.  Cormack,  who  died  about 
two  years  ago.  Of  Mr.  Wilson,  we  could  say  many- 
things,  did  propriety  allow.  We  are  not  certain  of  the 
number  of  years  he  has  been  connected  with  this  church, 
but  they  cannot  have  been  few,  as  his  head  has  now 
become  bleached,  while,  like  Timothy,  he  has  through 
many  a  year,  "naturally  cared  for  their  state."  He  has, 
we  understand,  during  bygone  years,  met  with  many 
trials  and  disappointments,  in  carrying  on  the  good 
work ;  bat,  having  received  help  of  God,  he  continues  to 
the  present  day.*  Several  small  secessions  have  taken, 

•  He  died  Jan.  3,  1846,  aged  69,  as  this  sheet  was  passing 
through  the  press. 


296  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

place,  from  this  church,  which  eventually  may  prove 
useful  to  the  town  of  Sunderland.  The  new  cause  at 
Maling's  Rig,  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Kneebon,  though 
only  hegun  about  two  years  ago,  has  already  produced 
good  fruit.  It  numbered  upwards  of  sixty  members 
about  twelve  months  since ;  but  has  since,  from  circum- 
stances, been  rather  reduced.  May  its  reduction  resent 
ble  the  small  but  select,  and  intrepid  army  of  Gideon ! 

At  Monkwearmouth  there  had  been  a  Baptist  cause 
in  the  early  part  of  the  present  century.  Mr.  "Watts,  for 
some  years,  was  its  minister ;  but,  owing  to  certain  un- 
toward circumstances,  he  left ;  and  preached  at  Hough- 
ton-le-spring,  for  some  time,  and  then  went  to  Hull. 
The  cause  at  Monkwearmouth  continued  in.  abeyance, 
for  some  years ;  and  owing  to  a  new  arrangement  of  the 
buildings  in  the  town,  the  old  chapel  was  taken  down  : 
but  Sir  Hedworth  Williamson  granted  a  site  for  a  new 
one,  in  a  very  eligible  situation,  A  chapel  was  accord- 
ingly built,  in  1838.  Owing,  however,  to  the  want  of  a 
stated  and  efficient  ministry,  the  cause  has  not,  as  yet, 
progressed  to  the  extent  desirable.  Present  appear- 
ances, however,  under  their  new  minister,  Mr.  M'Cree, 
are,  on  the  whole,  favourable. 

In  Newcastle,  also,  there  are,  besides  those  already, 
mentioned,  some  smaller  communities,  which>  like 
branches  from  a  parent  stem,  may,  perhaps  in  the  course 
of  years,  arise,  acquire  strength,  and  at  length  throw 
out  other  offshoots ;  and  thus  prove,  in  different  localities 
of  this  growing  town,  extensively  useful  in  advancing  the 
present  and  eternal  happiness  of  men. 

On  the  4th  June,  1844,  Mr.  Henry  Christopherson 
was  ordained  co-pastor  with  Mr.  Sample,  over  the 
church  at  New  Court,  Newcastle.  Mr.  Acworth,  of 
Horton  college,  described  the  nature  of  a  Christian 
church ;  and  Dr.  Raffles,  of  Liverpool,  gave  the  charge/ 
and  preached  to  the  people. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.      "  297 

In  the  latter  part  of  this  year,  several  interesting 
meetings  were  held  at  South  Shields ;  Mr.  Roe,  from 
Birmingham,  attending,  with  a  view  to  the  complete 
liquidation  of  their  debt.  This  desirable  object  was 
finally  gained.  By  the  kind  assistance  of  many  friends, 
the  debt,  which  amounted  to  J?620,  was  fully  cleared. 
•  The  cause  here  is  under  the  energetic  guidance  of  Mr. 
Sneath,  and  the  church  is,  at  present,  in  a  lively  and 
interesting  condition. 

1845. — In  the  early  part  of  this  year,  steps  were 
taken  by  the  church  at  North  Shields,  to  erect  a  new 
chapel.  They  succeeded  in  obtaining  among  themselves 
an  amount  of  subscriptions,  which  warranted  their  pro- 
ceeding to  apply  for  assistance  in  other  quarters. 
This  application  was  kindly  received,  in  different  quar- 
ters;  and  the  result  is,  a  neat  chapel  is  now  in  progress, 
and  is  expected  to  be  opened  for  public  worship,  in  a 
few  months.  It  is  proposed  that  the  old  chapel  shall 
be  devoted  to  two  day  schools.  The  cause  in  this  town, 
under  Mr.  Carrick,  is  also,  at  present,  in  a  very  healthy 
state. 

On  the  28th  September,  this  year,  died,  Mr.  Michael 
Garthorn,  of  Emshill,  agedv  seventy-one.  This  gentle-  , 
man  has  been  already  referred  to,  in  the  course  of  our 
narrative,  as  descended  from  an  ancient  family  in  the 
neighbourhood  of  Hamsterley.  Few  individuals  have 
passed  through  life  with  more  honour  to  himself,  and 
credit  to  his  family  and  connexions,  than  this  truly  ex- 
cellent individual;  but  of  this  he  himself  made  no 
boast,  his  trust  was  wholly  in  the  Sinner's  Friend, 
whose  cross,  both  in  life  and  death,  was  his  only  hope 
for  acceptance  with  God.  He  joined  the  church  at 
Hamsterley,  in  1829,  was  the  chief  supporter  of  the 
cause  for  many  a  year;  and,  dying,  left  it  £5Q  to 
aid  its  future  struggles.  .A  brief  account  of  Mr.  Gar- 


298  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

thorn  was  given  in  the  Baptist  Magazine,  for  No- 
vember, 1845.* 

But  we  must  now  draw  our  long  narration,  at  least 
for  the  present,  to  its  close,  by  adverting  to  the  most 
interesting  public  fact  connected  with  these  Northern 
churches,  this  year.  This  fact  is  the  resignation  of  the 
two  senior  ministers  in  the  association,  namely,  Mr, 
Pengilly,  of  Tuthill-stairs,  and  Mr.  Sample,  of  Ne\y 
Court.  On  the  reasons  of  their  retirement,  we  shall 
only  make  one  remark;  and  that  is,  that  each  conceived 
himself  right  in  the  step  he  took.  The  retirement  of  Mri 
Pengilly,  having  been  for  some  time  made  known,  nego- 
tiations for  a  successor  were,  in  consequence,  in  progress 
when  the  idea  of  succeeding  to  the  vacant  pastorate  at 
Tuthill-stairs,  was  unexpectedly  suggested  to  Mr.  Sam- 
ple ;  and,  after  serious  deliberation  on  his  part,  and  on 
that  of  the  church  at  Tuthill-stairs,  his  acceptance  of 
their  call  was  ultimately  decided  on,  and  he  commenced 
his  labours,  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  May,  in  the  place 
where,  in  early  life,  he  had  been  baptized ;  Mr.  Pen- 
gilly having  preached  his  Farewell  Discourse  on  the 
preceding  Sabbath,  from  Revelation  ii.  ch.  10th  verse, 
and  also  taken  an  affectionate  leave  of  his  people,  at  a 
parting  prayer  meeting,  held  the  next  evening:  after 
which  he  retired  to  Eggleseliffe,  near  Yarm;  where  it  is 
hoped  the  evening  of  his  life  may  be  usefully  spent.  Mr. 

*  From  the  ancient  documents  connected  with  the  Garthorn 
family,  the  writer  supposes  some  glimmerings  of  light  may  be 
thrown  on  one  or  two  points  in  our  history,  and  on  that  of  the 
family.  In  1680,  Michael  Garthorn  held  New  Bow.  This  must 
have  been  the  father  of  Michael  Garthorn,  who  died  in  1773. 
Hugh  Garthorn,  of  New  Bow,  lived  in  1656.  He  was,  very  pro- 
bably, the  father  of  Michael,  of  1680.  In  connexion  with  the 
name  of  Hugh,  in  1656,  we  have  the  name  of  Henry  Blacket,  of 
Oakenshaw,  parish  of  Brancepeth.  This  was,  probably,  the  father 
t>f  Henry  Blacket,  of  Bitchburn,  as  this  latter,  at  that  time,  was 
only  in  his  seventeenth  year. 


'IN  THE  NOKTH  OF  ENGLAND,  299 

Sample  also  took  leave  of  his  charge  at  New  Court,  on 
the  last  Sabbath  in  April,  preaching,  in  the  morning, 
from  Acts  ch.  xxi.  ver.  14,  and  giving  an  address  in  the 
afternoon.  The  recognition  of  the  union  of  the  church  at 
Tuthill-stairs,  with  their  new  pastor!,  took  place  on  the 
5lh  November,  1845,  when  Mr.  Pengilly  gave  a  brief  ac- 
count of  the  church,  since  1780,  and  of  the  circumstances 
connected  with  the  recent  change ;  he  then  proposed  the 
usual  questions  to  the  church  and  the  minister.  On 
their  response,  Mr.  Douglas,  of  Hamsterley,  offered  the 
recognition  prayer ;  and  Mr.  Pengilly  addressed  the 
pastor,  after  which  Mr.  Roe,  of  Birmingham,  preached 
to  the  church. 

In  the  evening,  a  numerous  tea  party  assembled,  in 
the  Victoria  Room.  Mr.  Pengilly  took  the  chair  after 
tea,  and  in  the  course  of  his  speech,  announced  the  idea 
of  a  new  meeting-house,  and  preposedto  do  all  he  could 
in  furtherance  of  the  object.  This  was  warmly  re- 
sponded to  by  Mr.  Sample,  who,  with  several  other 
friends,  promised  liberal  subscriptions  towards  its  ac- 
complishment. Other  sums  have  since  been  subscribed, 
and  a  committee,  for  adopting  necessary  preliminaries, 
has  been  appointed.  May  better  and  brighter  days  in 
point  of  usefulness,  be  in  reserve  for  this  ancient  church, 
and  all  the  other  churches  in  the  association,  as  well  as 
those  not  connected  with  it,  till  the  whole  of  these  North- 
ern counties  be  brought  under  the  sceptre  of  Him  whose 
rightful  sway  of  reconciliation,  purity,  and  love,  can 
alone  make  men  happy  here,  and  fit  them  for  another 
and  more  permanent  world ! 

Thus  have  we  wandered  through  the  long  range  of 
nearly  two  hundred  years,  from  1648  to  1845,  and  are 
now  looking  forward  to  our  Bicentenary.  But  when 
should  it  take  place  ?  It  has  been  mentioned  that  the 
churches  of  Brought  on  and  Newcastle,  had  their  begin- 
nings about- the  years  1G4S  and  1650.  "With  the  exact- 


300  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHUBCHfcS 

period,  however,  of  the  formation  of  these  churches,  we 
are  altogether  unacquainted ;  but  we  are  certain  of  the 
precise  year  of  the  formation  of  the  church  at  Hexham, 
now  represented  by  the  churches  of  Broomley,  Rowley, 
and  Hamsterley.  This  was  on  21st  July,  1652.  The 
writer  would  therefore,  humbly  submit,  that  July,  1852, 
should  be  regarded  as  the  bicentenary  of  the  commence- 
ment of  the  churches,  in  these  four  northern  counties,  and 
to  be  holden  at  that  period.  But  who  is  to  see  it!  Many 
now  alive,  will  have  bade  adieu  to  the  scenes  of  earth,  - 
and  the  hand  that  has  written  these  pages,  may,  very 
probably,  be  incapable  of  writing  the  third  chapter  of 
the  period,  intervening  between  1821  and  1852!  But  it 
matters  little  who  are  then  alive,  or  who  dead,  provided 
that  the  dead  are  with  God,  and  the  living  are  walking 
with  Him,  and  labouring  for  Him.  It  is  our  happiness 
to  know,  amidst  all  the  -mutation  that  attaches  to  time 
and  its  transient  and  ever-varying  scenes — that  the 
children  of  God's  servants  shall  continue,  and  their 
seed  shall  be  established  before  Him — that  instead 
of  the  fathers  there  shall  be  the  children — that  the 
Redeemer's  name  shall  be  remembered  in  all  gene-- 
rations,  and  that  the  people  shall  praise  Him  for  ever 
and  ever.  May  our  posterity  be  among  them  ! 

Before  concluding  the  account  of  the  Northern 
Churches,  it  is  necessary  to  give  a  summary  view  of 
their  present  state.  Since  the  year  1832,  little  com- 
munication has  taken  place  between  the  churches  of 
Northumberland  and  Durham,  and  the  churches  in 
Cumberland  aud  the  north  of  Lancashire.  This,  in  the 
first  instance,  arose  from  a  difference  between  the  east- 
ern churches  and  one  of  those  in  the  west ;  but,  the  - 
great  distance  between  the  eastern  and  western  coast 
of  the  island,  the  expense  of  travelling,  and  the  increase 
of  the  churches  in  both  districts,  have  consummated  the 
disruption.  The  ancient  Northern  Association  then, 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.  301 

that  commenced  in  1690,  may  be  regarded  as  extinct^ 
and  merged  in  the  associations  of  the  counties  of  Dur- 
ham aud  Northumberland,  and  of  Cumberland  and 
Westmoreland  on  the  west  coast.    This  is  expected,  at 
least,  to  be  the  ultimatum.    At  present,  however,  the 
only  Baptist  church  in  Westmoreland,  at  Brough,  is  in 
connexion  with  the  eastern  churches ;  but  the  churches 
in  Cumberland  are  not,  as  yet,  fully  associated.    The 
ancient  churches  of  Tottlebank  and   Hawksheadhill 
are  now  united  with  the  association  of  Lancashire. 
Tottlebank  is  at  present  enjoying  the  services  of  Mi. 
Thomas   Taylor:    Hawksheadhill  has  lately  become 
renovated,  under  the  active  care  and  guidance  of  Mr.  D. 
Kirkbride.  This  cause  had  become  extinct,  by  the  death 
of  its  last  member,  about  1833 ;  but  a  new  one  was,  how- 
ever, begun  at  Conistone,  to  which  Hawksheadhill  is 
now  united.      As  to  the  churches  in  Cumberland — 
Broughton  has,  at  present,  Mr.  Collins  for  its  pastor, 
and  is,  we  understand,  in  a  very  feeble  condition.    Oul- 
tou  is  still  nominally  connected  with  it.    The  cause  at 
Workington  is  also  very  low.    Ravenglas  has  been  dis- 
solved for  some  years.    The  number  of  members  on  the 
church-book,  at  Whitehaven,  was  sixty  in  1844.    Mr. 
Tunley  is  its  present  minister.    At  Maryport,  Mr.  An- 
derson is  the  pastor :  their  number  is  seventy,  and  they 
have  two  Sunday  schools,  one  with  100  and  the  other 
with  40  scholars.   At  Carlisle,  Mr.  Osborne,  formerly  of 
Brough,  succeeds  Mr.  Trickett  as  minister.    With  the 
amount  of  the  church,  congregation,  or  schools,  &c.,  we 
are  not  acquainted. 

We  subjoin  the  following  Tabular  Views  of  the  Meet- 
ings of  the  Association  during  the  last  twenty-three 
years,  and  also  of  the  present  state  of  the  Associated 
Churches  in  Durham  and  Northumberland. 

2  C 


302 


HISTOBY  OF  THB  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 


MEETINGS  OF  THB  ASSOCIATION   AND  STATE   OF  THE 
UNITED  CHURCHES,  FROM  1822  TO   1845. 


Years. 

Places. 

In- 
crease 

De- 
crease 

Total. 

S-M 

§§l 
^  *-«j 

is 
I" 

«•  2 

&l 

|f 

t^-s 

1822 

South  Shields 

53 

18 

386 

1823 

Tottlebank 

31 

15 

421 

1824 

Kowley 

35 

8 

404 

1825 

North  Shields 

28 

43 

255 

1826 

Stockton 

25 

16 

283 

1827 

Newcastle 

10 

16 

u 

1828 

Broughton 

<( 

« 

« 

1829 

Hamsterley 

33 

17 

341 

1830 

South  Shields 

« 

« 

« 

1831 

Masham 

<( 

u 

(( 

1832 

Middletou 

61 

29 

577 

1833 

"Wolsingham 

50 

33 

478 

1834 

North  Shields 

« 

« 

u 

1835 

Rowley 

(C 

a 

(( 

1836 

Stockton 

cc 

« 

a 

1837 

Newcastle 

15 

19 

213 

1838 

Hamsterley 

45 

23 

439 

600 

26 

1839 

South  Shields 

46 

27 

560 

431 

31 

1840 

Middleton 

182 

19 

475- 

230 

« 

1841 

North  Shields 

162 

30 

797 

779 

107 

30 

1842 

Brough 

104 

37 

852 

788 

125 

56 

1843 

Broomley 

114 

35 

917 

1075 

196 

58 

1844 

"Wolsingham 

99 

1 

771 

990 

187 

64 

1845 

Stockton 

42 

22 

921 

800 

142 

26 

These  reports  are  very  imperfect,  as  some  of  the  churches  had 
either  riot  sent  letters,  or  indistinct  returns. 

Daring  these  years,  a  few  circular  letters  were  printed.  One 
in  1822,  fey  Mr,  Harbottle,  on  "  The  Assistance  Churches  ought  to 
give  to  their  Ministers."  In  1830,  Mr.  Pengilly  wrote  one,  on 
"  The  Utility  of  Associations."  Mr.  Douglas  wrote,  in  1831,  on 
"  Dissent ;"  and  another,  in  1834,  on  "  Avoiding  Discord  among 
Brethren."  Mr.  Williamson  wrote  one,  on  "  The  Sanctifi  cation 
of  the  Sabbath,"  in  1833.  Mr.  Fuller's  "  Practical  Uses  of  Bap- 
tism," was  also  republished,  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Pengilly, 
in  1832.  The  pastors  of  the  churches,  generally  speaking,  took 
their  turn  in  preaching,  on  these  annual  occasions.  All  usually 
spoke  at  the  Missionary  Meetings. 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND. 


303 


THE  ASSOCIATED  CHTTKCHES  IN   DURHAM,  NORTHTJMBBK- 
LAND,  &C.     STATE  IN  1845. 


Churches. 

Ministers. 

I 

,8 

& 

*»*£ 

5 

3 

P 

3* 

^ 

& 

3s 

^  Tuthill-stairs 
« 

George  Sample 

1650 

12 

16 

207 

270 

36 

|  New  Court 

H.  Christopherson 

1818 

10 

6 

c< 

cc 

« 

fei 

Hamsterley 

David  Douglas 

1652 

2 

2 

79 

30 

5 

11 

Broomley 

William  Fisher 

1652 

it 

" 

48 

60 

16 

8 

Rowley 

Wm.  Macgowan* 

1652 

" 

4 

44 

55 

13 

7 

2S 

North  Shields 

J.  D.  Carrick 

1798 

16 

2 

215 

150 

30 

6 

f 

,2S 

South  Shields 

James  Sneath 

1818 

18 

(i 

153 

[185 

35 

Stockton 

William  Leng 

1810 

2 

I 

71 

Middleton 

James  Mellis 

1827 

11 

1 

83 

cc 

it 

3 

Wolsingham 

Edward  Lewis 

1831 

3 

1 

25 

80 

12 

4- 

Brough 

J.  J.  Osborne 

1834 

4 

1 

100 

30 

Monkwearm. 

G.  W.  McCree 

1835 

" 

it 

9 

56 

8 

Sunderland 

James  Kneebon 

1844 

3 

17 

45 

As  to  the  unassociated,  we  regret  that  we  cannot  give  so  exact 
an  account  as  we  could  wish,  as  the  reports  received  have  been 
imperfect,  and  others  though  sought,  have  not  been  given.  We  can, 
therefore,  only  recapitulate  their  names :  Sans-street,  Sunderland; 
formed  1797,  pastors,  Messrs.  Wilson  and  Redman,  the  former  re- 
cently deceased.  There  is  another  small  church,  in  Sunderland, 
formed  sometime  ago,  under  Mr.  Preston.  Wooler,  formed  in  1800, 
is  at  present  in  a  low  state.  Ford  Forge,  under  Mr.  Black,  numbers 
about  thirty-five  members.  Berwick,  one  hundred,  with  several 
preaching  stations.  Newcastle  has  two  churches :  one  under  Mr. 
Banks,  which  lately  numbered  upwards  of  a  hundred ;  and  Provi- 
dence Chapel,  under  R.  B.  Sanderson,  Esq.,  which  has  other  two  or 
three  stations,  in  Newcastle  and  the  neighbourhood,  all  of  which  bid 
fair  to  produce  good  fruit.  Bedlington  is  very  small.  At  Hough- 
ton-le-Spring,  there  is  a  small  church,  under  Mr.  Bee ;  and  the 
society  at  Hetton-le-hole,  formerly  under  Mr.  Greatrix,  is  now,  we 
understand,  also  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Bee.  Harflepool,  is  a  new 
community,  raised  of  late  by  a  flux  of  Baptist  brethren,  into  this 
increasingly  interesting  port.  The  church  at  Darlington,  under 
Mr.  Lightfoot,  is  but  small.  A  new  attempt  is  about  to  be  made 
in  this  rising  town,  by  Mr.  R.  Hall,  from  Stepney  College. 

*  Rowley  separated  from  Hamiterley,  in  1785;  and  Rowley  and  Broomley 
parted  from  each  other,  in  1843. 


304  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 


CONCLUDING  REMARKS. 

In  concluding  this  brief  narrative  of  the  Baptist  churches,  in  the 
North  of  England,  the  writer  cannot  forbear  making  a  very  few- 
remarks,  arising  from  a  review  of  the  whole. 

The  first  of  these  is — that  the  narrative  itself  is  in  accord- 
ance with  the  Divine  Will.    Some  persons  may  be  ready  to  say, 
"What  is  the  benefit  resulting  from  telling  us  so  much  about  the 
past  and  the  men  of  the  past?    We  care  little  about  who  or 
what  were  our  grandfathers.    But  if  such  an  objection  were  valid, 
it  would  be  equally  so  as  applied  to  the  Scriptures,  for  what  are  they 
from  the  beginning  to  their  close,  but  a  Divinely  inspired  Eccle- 
siastical History.  And  we  find  God  himself  calling  on  the  Israel- 
ites, for  their  spiritual  benefit,  to  review  the  past, — "  Thou  shalt 
remember  all  the  way  which  the  Lord  thy  God  led  thee  these  forty 
years,"  &c. ;  and  again,  "Look  to  the  rock  whence  thou  wast 
hewn,  and  the  hole  of  the  pit  whence  thou  wast  dug,"  &c.    We 
are,  no  doubt,  called  to  do  the  same,  and  for  the  same  object,  that 
our  present  spiritual  benefit  may  be  promoted.    The  dead  are  set 
before  us  also  in  the  Scriptures,  and  we  are  called  "  to  follow  them 
so  far  as  they  followed  Christ."    "  Be  not  slothful,  but  followers 
of  them  who  through  faith  and  patience  inherit  the  promises." 
Whatever  was  wrong  about  our  forefathers    and  predecessors, 
then,  let  us   shun,   and  whatever  was   good  let   us   carefully 
and  energetically  imitate.    Let  us  be  grateful  when  we  review 
their  position  and  our  own.    They  wrought  for  God  in  the  face 
of  opposition,  imprisonment,  and  death.    We  are  called  to  perform 
the  same  work,  but  under  widely  different  circumstances,  under 
our  own  vine  and  figtree,  no  one  daring  to  make  us  afraid. 

Another  remark  is,  that  as  our  communities  had  their  origin  in 
high  attachment  to  the  Saviour  of  the  guilty,  they  can  only  be 
maintained  by  a  similar  state  of  mind.  Such  was  the  case  with 
the  churches  in  the  days  of  the  apostles.  In  all  matters,  they 
"  First  gave  themselves  to  the  Lord,  and  then  to  one  another,  by 
the  will  of  God."  When  this  spirit  pervaded  their  assemblies,  all 
was  well.  The  love  of  Christ  was  the  constraining  principle  of 
all  their  actions.  Their  zeal,  liberality,  and  holy  conduct  sprang 
from  this ;  but  when  their  love  to  Him  began  to  cool,  and  they-be- 
gan  to  feel "  the  impulsive  power  of  a  new  affection"  in  the  wrong 
way,  when  the  world  laid  hold  on  their  affections,  and  in  religion 


IN  THE  NORTH  OF  ENGLAND.        305 

they  had  become  neither  cold  nor  hot,  then  usefulness  was  at  an 
end ;  the  spring  of  it  was  gone,  and  the  Saviour  had  no  delight  in 
them.  "  Because  thou  art  neither  cold  nor  hot,  but  lukewarm,  I 
will  spue  thee  out -of  my  mouth."  "Because  thou  has  left  thy 
first  love,  I  will  remove  the  candlestick  out  of  its  place."  So  it 
was  with  our  fathers,  when  the  love  of  the  Saviour  was  predomi- 
nant; they  were  fhllof  love  and  zeal,  their  hearts  and  hands  were 
open  to  every  good  work ;  but  when  the  love  of  the  world  inter- 
vened, contention  and  every  evil  work  also  obtruded ;  peace  was 
banished,  usefulness  ceased,  the  world  was  stumbled,  and  the 
churches  became  reduced.  Such  is  said  to  be  the  case,  at  the  pre- 
sent time,  with  many  of  the  Mennonite,  or  Baptist,  churches  on  the 
continent.  May  our  churches,  in  this  country,  take  warning.  "  No 
man  can  serve  two  masters."  "  Love  not  the  world,  nor  the  things 
of  the  world.  If  any  man  love  the  world,  the  love  of  the  father  is 
not  in  him." 

A  third  remark  is,  let  us  not  only  imlibe  the  spirit  of  our  fore- 
fathers, but,  so  far  as  their  views  of  'Divine  truth  were  Scriptural, 
let  us  hold  them  fast.  The  views  of  Bunyan,  as  they  appear  in  his 
Pilgrim,  &c.,  which,  generally  speaking,  were  held  by  our  prede- 
cessors, are  in  the  main  Seripturally  correct  and  simple.  He  and 
they  held  the  great  doctrine  of  RECONCILIATION  on  the  part  of 
totally-depraved  and  guilty  man,  with  a  pure,  just,  and  merciful 
God,  through  a  simple  and  humble  dependance  on  the  "blood 
of  the  great  Propitiation,"  "  God  manifest  in  the  flesh."  They 
also  held  the  doctrine  of  REGENERATION  AND  SANCTIFICATION 
by  the  enlightening,  drawing,  and  purifying  influence  of  the  Di- 
vine Spirit,  in  order  to  lead  men  to  repentance,  to  the  exercise  of 
faith,  and  to  its  fruit  in  the  manifestation  of  a  holy  and  actively  use- 
ful life,  that  thereby  they  might  live  to  the  glory  of  their  Redeemer 
here,  and  be  fitted  for  the  enjoyment  of  the  society  of  a  pure 
God  in  a  holy  heaven  hereafter.  In  connexion  with  these 
simple  and  practical  views  of  the  doctrines  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment, were  their  conceptions  of  the  spiritual  nature  of  Christ's 
kingdom.  That  kingdom,  in  their  view,  was  the  reign  of  God 
ALONE  over  the  reason,  conscience,  heart,  and  life  of  men, 
civil  governments  having  no  right  to  interfere  with  these, 
so  far  as  religious  views  and  the  mode  of  worship  were  con- 
cerned. Like  their  Lord  and  Master,  they  rendered  to  Caesar  the 
things  that  were  Caesar's,  but  to  God  the  things  that  were  God's. 
They  were,  in  consequence,  subject  to  the  ruling  powers  in  all 
things  that  did  not  touch  conscience  towards  God ;  but  they  deem- 


306  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 

ed  it  their  duty  to  preach,  the  gospel  in  a  peaceable  manner,  to 
every  creature,  yet  never  allowed  themselves  to  be  beguiled  either 
by  state  pensions,  or  the  fear  of  persecution,  from  the  performance 
of  this  and  similar  duties.  As  to  the  ordinances  of  Baptism, 
the  Lord's  supper,  &c.,  they  confined  these  to  persons  who  had 
made  a  Scriptural  and  credible  profession  of  their  faith  in 
Christ ;  and  with  reference  to  the  former,  they  regarded  it  as  the 
great  line  of  demarcation  between  the  church  and  the  world.  Such 
were  the  views  of  Bunyan,  and  the  generality  of  the  Baptists  in 
former  days,  and  such  in  our  own  times  have  been  the  views  of 
Booth,  Fuller,  Hall,  Maclean,  Carson,  and  others  of  our  distin- 
guished writers.  Some  slight  shades  of  difference  there  may  be  be- 
tween these,  but  still  in  the  main  they  'were  agreed  in  the  senti- 
ments specified  above.  Let  us  then,  dear  brethren,  hold  fast  these 
views,  and  in  the  spirit  of  holy  Christian  affection,  let  us  strive  to 
ascertain  rather  the  amount  of  agreement  subsisting  between  the 
different  churches,  than  Hie  amount  of  difference ;  or,  according  to 
the  direction  of  the  highest  authority,  "  Let  as  many  as  destre  to 
be  perfect  be  thus -minded;  let  us  leave  the  things  behit  _  and 
reach  towards  those  before ;  and  whereunto  we  have  already 
attained,  let  us  walk  by  the  same  rule,  let  us  mind  the  same  thing ; 
and  if  in  anything  ye  be  otherwise  minded,  God  shall  reveal  even 
this  unto  you." 

Einally, — Let  us  endeavour  to  improve  upon  the  character  of 
tke  efforts  of  our  forefather '*,  by  seeking  in  a  higher  degree  to 
blend  Scriptural  wisdom,  zeal,  and  energy  in  all  our  attempts  to 
maintain  and  extend  the  cause  of  God.  The  generations  gone 
by  have  done  something,  and  we  ought  to  be  grateful  for  it ;  but 
much  remains  yet  to  be  done.  The  population  of  Durham  and 
Northumberland  alone,  is  upward  of  half  a  million,  containing 
sixteen  wards,  averaging  about  37,000  each.  Out  of  these  our 
members  will  not  number  two  thousand  ;  and,  perhaps,  with  alt 
our  exertions  in  itinerating  labours,  not  ten  thousand  may  enjoy 
our  teaching ;  there  is,  therefore,  much  room  for  farther  labour, 
and  ample  scope  for  the  liberality  of  the  churches.  Ought  we  not 
then  to  devise  liberal  things,  that  by  liberal  things  we  may  stand? 
Should  not  all  our  wisdom  be  brought  to  bear  on  the  revealed 
wisdom  of  Heaven,  in  ascertaining  the  means  appointed  for  the 
salvation  of  guilty  men?  In  the  above  counties,  and  in  "West- 
moreland, we  have  upwards  of  twenty  churches  tolerably 
advantageously  situated,  from  Darlington  on  the  South  to 
Berwick-on-Tweed  on  the  North,  and  from  Broughton  on 


IN  THE  NOBTH  QF  ENGLAND.  307 

the  West  to  Sunderland  on  the  East.     Each  church  is  sur- 
rounded by  an  extensive  district,  and  were  their  ministers  put  all 
in  a  position  in  which  they  could  constantly  co-operate,  much 
more  good  would,  doubtless,  be  accomplished.    It  is  good  to  meet 
each  other  once  a  year;  but  this  is  too  seldom  to  carry  on  the  work 
of  G-od  efficiently.  Bat  what  can  be  done?  Our  churches  are  small 
and  poor.     Our  ministers  are  bound  to  their  position  by  a  constant 
demand  on .  their  reading,   study,  and  preaching  to  the  same 
people.  Sabbath  after  Sabbath,  through  slow  successive  years.    It 
is  difficult  to  suggest  a  remedy.  Some  have  proposed  interchanges, 
and  this  doubtless  would  be  of  use;  but  few  of  our  ministers  could 
bear  the  expense,  and  besides  it  is  not  convenient  often  to  leave 
their  families  or  their  flocks,  especially  under  certain  circum- 
stances, demanding  their  immediate  superintendence.  : 
Removals  have,  likewise,  been  proposed,  and  these  in  some  inr      ; 
stances  have  operated  well.    In  many  other  cases,  however,  these   T  ' 
have  proved  detrimental  to  the  churches.    Nothing  more  tended 
at  certain  periods,  to  mar  the  prosperity  of  the  community  at  Tut- 
hill-^Jifirs,  Newcastle,  than  the  frequent  removal  of  its  ministers. 
Churches,  under  these  circumstances,  get  into  an  unsettled  state ; 
parties  are  formed,  one  for  one  minister  and  another  for  another. 
It  becomes  exceedingly  difficult,  in  consequence,  to  get  them  so 
united  as  to  obtain  a  ministry  acceptable  to  all,  and  cheerfully 
supported  by  all.  From  this,  then,  it  would  appear  that  removals, 
on  the  whole,  are  not  desirable,  unless  conducted  on  a  particular 
plan,  or  system,  as  in  the  case  of  the  Methodists,  or  Lady  Hunt- 
ingdon's connexion.  It  may  then  become  a  grave  question,  whether 
our  Independency  could  comport  with  a  moveable  Itinerancy. 
The  writer  thinks  it  could,  and  has  endeavoured  to  evince  this  in 
his  "  Essay  on  the  Nature  and  Perpetuity  of  the  office  of  the  Pri- 
mitive Evangelist."      In  this  Essay,  he  has  endeavoured  to  show 
that  a  stationary  self-supported  eldership,  superintending,  attach- 
ed to  local  portions  of  Independent  churches,  might  easily  co-oper- 
ate with  a  moveable  class  of  Itinerants  or  Evangelists,  supported 
by  the  churches  in  general,  and  stationed  periodically,  by  a  gene- 
ral union  of  the  whole  of  these  churches.    Such  seems  to  have 
been,  in  the  opinion  of  the  writer,  the  working  of  the  Primitive 
church.    The  elder  taught  "the  church  in  his  house."    The 
Itinerants,  the  Apostles  or  Evangelists,  scoured  the  country,  to  get 
him  a  church  to  teach.    If  this  is  God's  way  then,  it  must  be  best 
to  secure  the  great  object  of  Christianity,  the  salvation  of  men,  by 
its  universal  spread,  both  at  home  and  abroad.    The  plan  has, 


303  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES. 

generally  speaking,  wrought  well  amongst  the  Methodists ;  and  if 
placed  on  a  more  Scriptural  footing  than  they  have  it,  might  it  not 
work  better  still  ?  The  writer  hopes  the  mention  of  this  will  not. 
be  regarded  as  officious  or  ostentatious.  His  object,  he  hopes, 
is  neither  to  exhibit  vanity  nor  to  sow.  discord,  but  enquiry 
whether  we  have  yet  attained  to  the  Scriptural  .means,  that,  our 
Redeemer  would  have  his  people  employ,  in  order  to  the  purity, 
the  peacefulness,  and  the  advancement-  of  his  cause  in  the  world. 
But  whatever  method  we  adopt,  let  us,  in  conclusion,  never 
forget  that  life  is  fast  wasting  away.  The  present  generation  of 
our  churches  will  soon  be  in  the  grave.  It  behoves  us,  then,  to 
"  work  while  it  is  called  to  day,  for  the  night  cometh  when  no  man 
can  work."  So  said  our  Saviour  with  regard  to  his  work.  -  So  let 
us  say  in  relation  to  ours.  "  Whatsoever  then  our  hands  find  to 
do,  let  us  do  it  with  our  might,  as  there  is  neither  work  nor 
device,  nor  knowledge,  nor  wisdom,  in  the  grave  whither  we  go." 


W.  B.  LEIGHTON,  PRINTER,  GIJAINGER  STREET,  NEWCASTLB. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CHCAGO 


19  444  994 


. 
MAT  2 


LC  AN 


ffneerlTbrary 


§±Jt 

r  liO&B 


1-    3922